04 Sunday, October 11
Day of itinerary
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01 The plan
Plan overview
Andrew is proposing to Marissa at Scusset Beach on Sunday, October 11. She thinks he is away on a boys’ day, so the family brings her to the campground for breakfast and then on a walk down the beach, where a fake “free Owala” sign that Andrew made lures her up a dune path to him, waiting just past the crest with the ring.
The whole day, in order
- Cover storyAndrew tells Marissa his friends from Chicago and Denver are home for a boys’ day, so he will miss Scusset. His phone location is spoofed to Rutland, MA all day.
- 8:00 AMAndrew leaves for Scusset Beach.
- 8:30 AMChris and Colleen pick up Marissa in Wrentham and drive her to Scusset with Liam.
- 9:00 AMAndrew arrives at Scusset and gets everything ready. Decorations are already stashed in Chris and Kim’s camper.
- ~9:30 AMChris and Colleen park at the campground bathrooms and walk Marissa and Liam to Mike and Jan’s site. Steven and Bella are there.
- 9:30 – 10:30 AMBreakfast: Mike cooks breakfast sandwiches on the Blackstone. Everyone hangs out at the campsite.
- By 10:40 AMSarah and Jeff, and Zach and Jackie with Alessia and Charlotte, drive in together in two cars and park at the ranger lot. They stay there, out of sight.
- 10:00 AMNicole arrives and meets Andrew in the main beach lot. They walk in through the plaza, down the boardwalk and right along the sand to the path.
- SetupAndrew stakes the Owala sign at the mouth of the path and waits just past the crest. Nicole sets up further up the path, behind him, with the camera.
- 10:45 AMAndrew texts Colleen that he is set and ready. Nothing else goes in that thread.
- After the textColleen suggests a walk down to the beach. Chris, Steven and Bella are in, so it is a group thing.
- 10:50 AMColleen texts Andrew that they are on their way. Marissa, Chris, Colleen, Steven and Bella leave the campsite: around the bathrooms, past the playground, through the main lot, down the boardwalk.
- Once they are goneKim keeps a lookout. Once the group is through, she texts Sarah and Zach, and Mike and Jan, to come over. Kim, Chris and Lisa decorate the camper, both cars drive in from the ranger lot, and Mike, Jan and Liam come over. Sarah puts the engagement cake on the picnic table. Everyone waits there.
- On the sandColleen turns the group right, toward the canal, and they walk along the water to the mouth of the path.
- The signMarissa spots the free Owala sign. If she misses it, Steven points it out.
- Up the pathThe group stays on the sand. Marissa walks up the path alone.
- 11:00 – 11:15 AMAt the crest she sees Andrew. Andrew proposes. Nicole photographs it from behind him.
- Right afterAndrew texts everyone at Chris and Kim’s camper to come down to the beach for photos.
- PhotosEveryone walks down to the path. Jan brings the basket with the champagne and engraved glasses. Liam, Alessia and Charlotte wear their shirts. Nicole takes group, family and engagement photos.
- After photosEveryone heads back to Chris and Kim’s decorated camper to celebrate. Mike picks up the sandwiches and pizza from Market Basket.
The plan on the map
The satellite view, step by step. Tap the map or use Next to move through it.
The lure
The sign
Staked at the mouth of the path. This is the entire lure.
There is an engagement ring hidden in it. Down in the beach grass, sitting in the sand. Nobody finds it on the first look, which is the fun of handing this around afterwards.
Why she can’t see him
A side view of the dune, looking along the beach. Drag her up the path: Andrew stays hidden behind the crest until the last few steps.
02 Before October 11
Prerequisite checklist
Everything that has to happen between now and October 11.
-
Sep 10, 2026
Parental approval
Asked Mike and Jan in person. Both said yes.
Andrew tap me -
Sep 29, 2026
Mike and Jan send the invite
They invited everyone out to Scusset for Sunday the 11th for a cookout. Come early for breakfast sandwiches.
Mike & Jan -
Target · Sep 27
Order the food for afterwards
Order sandwiches and pizza in bulk from Market Basket. Pick it up right after the family photos are done.
Andrew -
Target · Oct 4
Colleen suggests a lunch at Tree House Brewery
Colleen “finds out” that Steven and Bella will be in attendance that weekend, and that prompts her to suggest they all go out for a nice lunch. Enough for Marissa to put a real outfit on without a single person telling her to.
Colleen -
Target · Oct 9
Pull backup outfits from her closet
Colleen and Jan go through Marissa’s closet and pick a couple of options. Andrew brings them to the beach so she can change afterwards if she wants to. Nobody breathes a word about dressing up — she has to be shocked.
Colleen & Jan -
Done
Make the sign
White boards, rounded corners, the print mounted with a pink border, and the Owala logo raised in black acrylic, on a wooden stake.
Andrew the build -
Done
Engrave the actual Owala
The sign promises a free Owala, so there had better be a real one waiting at the top. Laser engraved with Scusset Beach, MA and the date, and a tiny ring worked into the artwork.
Andrew the bottle -
Done
Order decorations and stash them
Gold and white balloons, the Happy Engagement banner, the ring and champagne balloons, sashes and the cake topper. Stashed in Chris and Kim’s camper.
Andrew -
Done
Jan makes the engagement basket
Custom champagne glasses and a bottle of champagne. Jan brings it down to the beach for the family photos.
Jan -
Done
Jan makes custom shirts
Shirts for Alessia, Liam and Charlotte to wear coming down to the beach for the family photos.
Jan -
Oct 11
Bake and bring the engagement cake
Sarah bakes the cake and brings it to Chris and Kim’s camper for the celebration.
Sarah
03 The people
Roles and responsibilities
Tap a name to see exactly what that person has to do.
