Congratulations Heather and Nils!

Well it's official - two of my best friends have just become engaged. Congratulations to Mr. Nils Engelstad and Ms. Heather Hansen!

I've known these two hooligans forever. I first met Heather 14 years ago in Dr. Deller's grade 7 class at Caradoc Central School in Mount Brydges, Ontario. The story of the adventures we've had, the troubles we've endured and the trashy country parties we've crashed since then would take a library's worth of books to tell. She brought Nils into the picture about seven years ago after a trade mission to East Asia. He's a good man. And thorough. (Hat tip to anyone who catches that reference).

A special thanks on the matter to Nils for involving me in the whole process. He first told me he wanted to propose somewhere in the depths of the Balkans - I believe it was Romania. Not sure what motivated him to this decision - perhaps it was the realization of true love... or perhaps it was one of those "If I ever get out of Romania alive..."-type situations. We then traveled to Antwerp, Belgium to find the stone. Three days of diamond-education later Nils made his choice. For someone with very little previous diamond knowledge or appreciation, I must admit - it was an impressive sight. Nils and I must have taken it out to look at a dozen times during the remainder of the Belgian trip.

With the ring purchased, the next matter was how and when to do it. The plan would be Italy - Heather having already been to the other major romantic capitals of Europe. Though I have been responsible for 90% of the logistics associated with our European travels, I give Nils 100% credit for this one - he did an amazing job booking the Italy trip down to every last detail.

What a story these two will have of their engagement for the rest of their lives. My only concern is that if I ever followed suit on the whole engagement thing Nils has set the bar pretty damn high.

Once again - a hearty congratulations to both of you. You are two of my best friends in the world, and I couldn't be happier for you. I only hope we'll still be such close friends after I'm done with the microphone on your wedding night....