the engagement

Ian and Clarice began considering marriage on January 19, 2004. Over the next few months, Clarice promised Ian that when he was ready to ask her to marry him, she would say 'yes.' Ian set out to assure Clarice that he could be known as a man of character and a potential spiritual leader for their future family.

The proposal seemed to be a distant hope as Ian worked feverishly to pay off some debt and save for a ring. Finally, when the timing was right and enough pre-engagement counseling had been completed, God provided a small financial windfall and Ian purchased a ring.

Brimming with confidence from receiving Dr. Timothy Law's blessing to marry his daughter, Ian set out to surprise Clarice. In an effort to remain unpredictable and hoping Clarice would remember Ian's promise not to propose in a gorilla suit, Ian recruited Clarice's enthusiastic roommates Christina, Callista Nurimba and Michelle Yung for a prank. As the girls dined on the patio at Hurry Curry in Los Angeles, Ian's longtime cohort Aaron Day appeared on the scene wearing a gorilla suit and presented roses to the female guests in sight, saving a purple rose for Clarice (since that is her favorite color). Other long time cohort, Stephen McCurry, and good friend Paul Orona clandestinely videotaped the gorilla incident. Then as suddenly as he appeared, the gorilla vanished into the night and Clarice promptly rationalized away a flower-bearing gorilla (since this is Los Angeles after all).

Meanwhile, Ian, Stephen and Paul raced down to the beach to help the Jay Lalime family complete the decoration of a footbridge in romantic Venice Canals, a gorgeous neighborhood modeled after Venice, Italy. Aaron, now recognizable to Clarice in a suit and tie, pulled a Lincoln Towncar up to the girls' table and offered Clarice a ride. Totally shocked, and accusing her rommmates of being in on the gag, Clarice accepted the ride and found flowers and a card in the back seat inviting her to relax and enjoy the surprises to come.

Aaron escorted Clarice around town while, at the canals, power was secured from generous neighbors and the footbridge was lit with Christmas lights. At the last second, Ian threw on a suit with lavender tie as Aaron delivered Clarice to the bridge and pointed her to a trail of purple candles. Ian plugged in the lights and met Clarice at the top of the bridge, getting down on one knee with nervous excitement. As promised, when Ian asked Clarice to marry him, she graciously said 'yes.'