We made this mountain of food. This is the Celebratory Li-And-Bill-Are-Engaged-Finally-After-Four-Years-Of-Discussing-It! Barbecue. Anthony ran around with the dog in the backyard, the guys got to be guys, and Lisa and I discussed dresses and the Pampered Chef Bridal Registry.

I am so happy for them. Seriously, after four years, she just up and asked him. He had already had a custom diamond ring made, with gold melted down from pieces of his mother's jewelry and his grandmother's diamond, and he had a plan. But after four years, who knew when that plan would come to fruition? She took the bull by the horns. They've been a family since Day One.

Erik told me after two weeks of dating that he wanted to ask my parents for my hand in marriage (Well, actually, at that point this little old French woman asked him when we were getting married). People just move at a different pace.