In the weeks leading up to September 2023, Morgan was planning an exciting 30th birthday trip to Cozumel, Mexico. A few friends would join us. On the day we flew to Mexico, Morgan was busy working - so she did not notice Nick sneaking away from the group.

Unbeknownst to her, Nick made a handful of phone calls to some important parent figures. Morgan's mom Sandy already knew what was to happen - so that phone call was short. Lee and Mike, Morgan's aunt and uncle, also gave their blessing. KT, Sammi's mom, was elated. Morgan's dad was surprised - Nick called to ask for Paul's blessing (not to ask for permission because that would make Morgan mad). While Paul played it extremely cool on the phone with Nick, history will recall that Paul immediately panic called Sandy after getting off of the phone.

One thing that Paul said on the phone was how Morgan would be completely surprised. About six months ago, Morgan and Nick got into an argument in Fort Wayne, Indiana about how finances explained the lack of a proposal. What Morgan did not know, was that 9 months ago, Nick had already purchased their engagement ring.

We all arrived at Cozumel, ready to celebrate Morgan's birthday.

Nick remembers anxiously holding the ring box.

He also remembers absent-mindedly asking Morgan to get something from his bag, only to leap up and intercept her.

The original plan was to propose on Saturday, celebrate on Sunday, and then go home on Monday so Nick could go to a work conference in DC. As they say, mice and men.

Nick forgot that there was a fourth step. The hotel had a beautiful infinity pool, with a section in the middle that was separated from the water. Most of the guests knew that Nick had a proposal planned and were waiting with Morgan in that carved out section as Nick got ready. He made his approach and stepped out onto thin air, falling down and twisting his ankle (he still remembers the pop). One of the guests, Danny, thought that it was on purpose - until Nick didn't get back up.

Nick would spend the next day nursing his sprained ankle. Everyone else went on the day's excursion.

That night, when everyone came back, Sammi made sure that Morgan would be ready for pictures. Morgan was now a woman on a mission: to take photos with her best friend.

Down by the pool, Nick was hobbling about, looking for a good spot for the proposal. There were too many people milling about by the pool, and a dj was spinning songs at the gazebo. He remembered that there was a little porch overlooking the ocean and the pool by the lobby, a private space that would be perfect.

Morgan remembers rushing about looking for Sammi, trying to take pictures with her best friend. Sammi was no where to be found: she was actually hiding in her room with Erik in order to get photos of the proposal. Eventually, Morgan made her way downstairs - just in time to catch Nick staggering up the stairs towards the patio. Exasperated, she asked "Where are you going? Where is everyone?" Nick coaxed her to join him on the porch.

Morgan and Nick looked out at the ocean. He mentioned how great the last few years had been together. She agreed. Anxious to continue looking for Sammi, Morgan began to turn back towards the hotel.

Nick reached out to grab her hand.

He got down on one knee.

She gasped.

He asked her, "We've already had all of these great adventures, how about one more?"

Morgan does not remember casting everything she was holding in her arms aside, nor does she remember the loud clatter of Nick's water bottle hitting the floor.

Sammi, on the other hand, does.

That night, our group snuck out to the pool after hours, and celebrated drinking both the cheapest tequila (some of the group accidentally bought souvenir tequila at a restaurant, complete with a photo of them slapped on the bottle) and extremely expensive tequila (that some of them bought on the excursion that Nick didn't go on). We celebrated and drank out of Love Is Blind gold glasses that Erik bought for everyone.

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