That time in your life when all of your friends are getting engaged.

Everyone says these things come in waves. First Kayla gets married, she has kids and everything. Next thing I know, Ang is months from marriage. Then Austin finally sets a date.

And now: Styna is engaged, my most liberal hippy friend. How did this happen? She’s been serving the Peace Corps for the past two years in Kazakhstan for god sakes. And no, she didn’t get engaged to a local mountain man that wears fur for underwear and eats animals one can only describe as a SNIPE. She got engaged to an American, non-yeti, fabulous, un-fur undies wearing American man.

This is, if you couldn’t tell, my way of congratulating my dear friend, Christina Baldarelli, on her engagement to Steffen Merten!

Stef: you are a lucky, non-yeti man, and I know the two of you will be so happy together. That said, I’ve compiled a few thoughts (ground rules, suggestions, guidelines whatever you want to call them) on your impending union:

• Tahoe: We’ll still need a few days every year for a girls Tahoe trip. Please also plan for another separate trip where boys will be allowed, these trips are decidedly boozier, so be sure to budget for lots-o-beer. Sidenote: We’ll be using the family cabin every so often, clearly. (I call the Bed, Bath and Beyond room!)
• Baldarelli: Christina must in some way keep her kick-ass last name intact. Whether it be on an old Pi Phi jersey or written on my heart. It’s just too good to die so young.
• Eyebrow sessions: We’ve gone TWO long years without your fiance tweezing our eyebrows with her quick-hand and sharp eye. Upon return, please set aside some QT for our brows. The world thanks you in advance.
• Personalized Bobbleheads: I’d like them to be woven in to all important events in your life together moving forward (i.e. births, new job celebrations, wedding, etc).

That’s all for now. Although, I would like to warn that when Christina wears white dresses, things can get a little crazy* so the wedding should be fun.

Mazel friends!

*Citing the last time she wore a white dress: My 22nd birthday, Tres margaritas, booze bus, Riley’s dance floor, Irish goodbyes, garage window breaking and entering, bathroom sleeping and all around fun.