One sweet surprise to go

Some personal news: This past Monday, I got engaged at Customshop (my favorite local restaurant), surrounded by some of my favorite people, and I wanted to share the moment with y'all (my favorite readers).

How it happened: Last week I got an email from Customshop's PR team with a story pitch for an Axios exclusive: The restaurant management said it was releasing a pasta-only, five-course tasting menu with wine pairings to match. (Yeah, sign me up.)

• So I showed up to the restaurant with my tripod, conducted the interview, asked questions about the (faux) menu they printed out and took diligent notes, photos and videos.
• By all accounts, it was a typical work day ... until my (now) fiancé walked through the kitchen doors and said, "Have you figured out that this isn't a real interview? And that that's not a real menu?"
• Mouth agape. Tears shed. A sweet speech. An easy "yes!"
• The surprises kept coming as the photographer "taking PR photos" started capturing the moment. Then, our closest friends arrived, including some from out-of-state (queue more tears).
• Afterward, Customshop's team switched out the fake menus with real ones and we all got to sit down to enjoy a meal together.
• It was one of the best nights of my life.