It’s been ten years in the coming (high school sweethearts), but I am very, hugely, amazingly excited to let you all know that Brooke and Ben got engaged on Saturday night on the beach at Mt Manganui.

The Good Sides

• After months (years) of wondering if it will happen, Ben excelled himself with a girlfriend with VERY high expectations. Not only did he get her to the beach of our childhood, he thoroughly researched rings and designed his OWN and had it made, and even took dad out for coffee to make sure mum and him were cool with it (which was answered with a resounding ‘About Time’ and a week of accusations that The Secret had let slip)
• I am hoping to be a bridesmaid (FINALLY!!!)
• This is a very good excuse to drink bubbly

The Bad Sides

• I have now lost about $50 in betting on WHEN this would happen. Because mum had prior warning she made a point of confirming on Friday that I do indeed owe her $10 if the engagement happened this year
• At the exact moment I got The Phone Call, I had in my hand a pair of tens and my first chance to make back the copious amounts of poker chips I had been losing all night. I had to fold on that incredible hand
• My mum now calls me the ‘Spinster Child”

Congratulations you two, hugely exciting to finally have a brother, a wedding in the family and the beginning of a whole new era.