We're finally getting married!

Technically, we were introduced at a concert at First Ave by a mutual friend. However, we didn't actually converse with each other until we started working together at Red Lobster in 2006. After almost a year of working together, Mel was getting harassed by a dishwasher that wouldn't leave her alone, so she went up to Hopper, the scariest person she knew, and asked him to tell the dishwasher that he was her boyfriend so he'd back off. In true Hopper fashion, with colorful language and extra attitude, he informed said dishwasher in no uncertain terms that Mel was his girlfriend, and to leave her alone. Swooning at her knight in chef coat armor, Mel and Hopper started hanging out more outside of work, and eventually started dating.

We were celebrating Christmas on Mel's side, and we had just finished eating and taking the annual family pictures. Hopper handed a box to Mel in front of her family (though only her sister-in-law Kayla was paying attention), and said: "We doing this or what?" Mel said, "I guess."