1997

The title of this months column is "Two Babies and Two Impressive Engagement Stories."

Camille Masini gave birth to a son, Damien Nicolas, at 6:20 a.m. on December 25 at New York Presbyterian-Cornell. "We're very much enjoying our new life together so far!" Camille writes. She e-mailed his photo—he's a cutie! In addition to being a new mom, Camille is working on her M.B.A. at Columbia Business School.

Kate Mallek Pemberton wrote in to say she and her husband, Rolf Pemberton, welcomed their son, John Bair, into the world November 18, 2002. "He was a big newborn at a bit over 9 pounds, and arrived almost two weeks past his supposed due date. We think that he planned it that way, making his 'grand entrance' during the full moon and meteor shower that were in evidence that night," wrote Kate, who lives in Arlington, Virginia.

She said Amanda Medford is living in Philly, where she is finishing up medical school.

Now, onto the engagement stories.

"I asked Sandra Montemayor to marry me on Valentine's Day," Bruno Yang wrote. "I did it on a big yacht that I chartered out for the two of us in St. Petersburg, Florida."

Strong work, Bruno.

Bruno said Salmaan Siddiqui helped execute the engagement surprise. Salmaan recently moved to Clearwater, Florida, where he is working as a bond trader. Bruno moved to Boston last year to work at a hedge fund.

"I met Sandra serendipitously on the streets of Boston one summer night while out with friends, including Ashish Kapoor and Jon Godinger. Five amazing months later, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her," Bruno said.

The wedding will be sometime next year in Monterrey, Mexico, where Sandra is from originally.

Speaking of nicely orchestrated engagements, I've got two words for you: Matt Walus.

'After sixyears together, Matt Walus and I became engaged on Saturday, February 8, in my favorite city in the world: Florence, Italy," Jenn Tudder wrote in an e-mail that started with "Woo- Hoo!

"Matt surprised me with the trip—he had a small number of family members, friends and coworkers in on it so that I would fall right into the script. I literally had someone come into my office that Friday and hand me an envelope—I thought I was getting served! It turned out to be an invitation from Matt asking me to spend an early Valentines Day outside the country. The woman then told me we had to leave immediately. It wasn't until I was in the limo on the way to the airport (my sneaky roommates had packed for me!) that I discovered I was going to Florence and then to Rome!

"Confused and overwhelmed, I arrived in Florence not knowing when I would see Matt! The driver took me to II Monte di San Miniato, a XIII century cathedral on a mountain overlooking the Florentine city—and there, on a park bench overlooking the incredible view, Matt proposed, just as the sun was setting and the 5p.m. bells were ringing."

Jenn said yes, the newly engaged couple spent the week in Florence, Siena and Rome, and they plan to marry in September 2004.

So, even if you don't have "big" news, I still want to hear from you! You hit the 100,000-mile mark on your Toyota? That's great. Write to me.

422 E. 89th St., Apt. 7A, New York, NY 10128; (212) 427-6117; abby.klingbeil@alum.dartmouth.org