I've heard a lot of great stories in my life.... funny ones, sad tales with dramatic endings, romantic love stories, and good ol' happy day pick-me-ups. But the very best story I have ever heard is when Bryson asked my Dad for his consent to marry me!

Now, our family is like no other. We see each other at least once a week at HUGE family get-togethers. We've had a tradition to share Friday Night Dinners (yes, notice it's capitol since we all make it a priority to be there!) with my Dad's side of the family... 10 of us all together not including BFs, BFFs, ex's... whoever shows up! Sunday Night Dinners (again, in capitol!) are saved for my Mom's side of the family... 29 of us all together since this is a VERY extended family dinner done potluck style!

So with this weekly bonding and borderline-obsession for all things family, you get an idea of what poor Bryson walked into coming from a VERY small family of four. And when it was time to pop the question, Bryson did the sweetest thing ever.... he asked BOTH of my Grandpas AND my Dad for their consent since he knew how extremely close I was to all of them.

Up first, Grandpa Kazu. My Grandpa Kazu was actually fighting cancer at the time (he passed away 2 weeks after we got engaged!) and had to stay home a lot. He sat on his Japanese sofa with a handsewn blanket strewn over his tired legs. That Friday night, my little cousin had made a lei out of purple yarn for him and he wore it proudly around his neck over his salmon colored polo shirt. (I have a picture from this night!) He sat on the couch watching TV while the rest of chatted about our week. He loved it when the family came over. Bryson sat down next to him and told him how much he loved me and would like to ask me to marry him. Grandpa looked him straight in the eye and said, "Yes... just remember to always be happy." He reached his hand out to shake Bryson's hand and welcomed him into the Takekawa family.

Next, Grandpa Wong. If any of you have seen my pokey-haired Grandpa, he's a real character. He's the wittiest 87-year-old in town! He loves to joke around with people and has recently mastered emailing his relatives in China. He's cute and always signs his emails like this... LOL, grandpa.com. I never know if he means Laugh Out Loud or Lots of Love. Either way, LOL rightback at ya! So during Sunday Night Dinner, Bryson walked Grandpa out to his car and told him about his plans to propose. Unlike my traditional, samurai Grandpa Kazu who offered honorable advice, Grandpa Wong looked at him and said,"Hey, are you sure about that?" And laughed. He congratulated Bryson and also welcomed him to the Wong family. (Side note, Grandpa Wong and Bryson have gotten SO close since they both share a love for football and gambling, that on Bryson's 30th birthday, he could pick ONE friend to go to Vegas with and guess who he took? Yup, Grandpa Wong. He's a hoot!)

Finally, my Dad. Tricking my Dad is never an easy task. He's sharp as a tack and will ask all the right questions to get all the right answers. But he has a few weaknesses.... and one of them is TOOLS. My Dad turns into a kid in a candy store when he goes to Home Depot. So the following Friday, while we were all eating, talking story and laughing around the dinner table, Bryson asked my Dad if he could go outside to "show him a new tool he just bought." Funny thing is my Dad knows Bryson doesn't like tools! (Side note, my Dad put together a tool kit for Bryson right after we moved in together... awkward!) Giddy and excited, my Dad hopped out of his chair and followed Bryson outside. In the garage, Bryson told him there were no tools and that he really wanted the chance to ask him for his consent to ask me to marry him. My Dad chuckled (in his Dad-like way) and said "Of course."He gave Bryson a big hug (well as big as a future Father-in-law and future son-in-law will give) and again, welcomed him into the family.You should have seen my Dad walk back into the room, he was glowing, smiling ear-to-ear dying to tell someone the big secret, I'm sure!