>> ... Next Generation ... Winning A Heart And A Diamond Contest entrant shares prize during surprise marriage proposal. SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN I CONTRIBUTING WRITER ddie Rubin had known for three years that he was going to marry Michelle Unger. But when it came down to the actual engagement, he had only three hours to plan his proposal. In early November, Rubin, 24, of Farmington Hills, entered the "Tell Us Your Love Story" contest at Tapper's Diamonds & Fine Jewelry. In fairytale form, he wrote in his entry: "I may not be a prince, and the love of my life may not be a damsel in distress, but our story has all the classic elements of a perfect fairytale — love, challenges, a little bit of fate and two people who plan to live happily ever after." Rubin said the realization that he would marry Unger came before the 2009 death of his dad, Berry. "Michelle wrote a letter to my father thanking him for raising such E a wonderful son and always welcoming her into our family," Rubin said. "I read it to him and, as I read her words, I knew that she was someone special, and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. It comforted me to know that my father had met and known the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with." At 3 p.m. on Dec. 1, Rubin learned his contest entry was chosen from more than 240 essays and that he had won a $10,000 A. Jaffe diamond engagement ring. He then had to figure out how to offer it to Unger, 25, of Commerce before word of the win became public the next day. Rubin crafted a plan to ask Michelle to marry him that evening at Tapper's West Bloomfield store, immediately inviting their families to witness the milestone. He told Michelle, a second-year law student at Become a Mentor Wayne State University, he was a top- five finalist in the contest and they needed to be interviewed right away. Hoping To Win When Michelle got to the store, Tapper's Vicki Briggs helped Rubin Eddie stage an "interview" in a private room, asking the couple a list of questions he had written. "Vicki was very professional, acting as if she was actually writing down all of the answers," Rubin said. "As the 'interview' ended I could see the disappointed look in Michelle's face because we would have to wait until the next day to find out if we won." Her mood transformed drastically when the couple walked into the main area of the store. Rubin proposes to Michelle Unger. "All of our family [including Eddie's mom Edie Rubin of Farmington Hills and Michelle's parents Rick and Renee Unger of Commerce, along with a store full of customers], were out there with flowers and champagne," Rubin said. "At that moment, I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me." A video photomontage of the couple — who met more than eight years ago as teenagers at a BBYO event — was playing on a screen. It was prepared by Rubin, co- president and producer at Deep Blue Pictures. RENAISSANCE MEDIA A small amount of your time can make an impact! The Waterford School District is recruiting volunteers ages 21 and older to mentor students. Volunteers meet with students at least once a week and mak:, a year long commitment to the student. SOLUTIONS Full Service Custom Publishing No Use AI% Wall and Window Graphics Video Production Marketing Services Creative Services Editorial Services Pre-press Production Social Media Magazines Newspapers Corporate Identities Annual Reports Ad Campaigns Mail and postage Project Management Business Consulting Data Management Telemarketing Youth who are mentored are: 46%1655 likely to begin using illegal drugs 27% less likely to begin using alcohol 52% less likely to skip school Contact Teresa Bruno 248.421.6497 I brunot01@wscIrni.org www.waterford.k12.mi.us/safeschools/mentor 40,,w w34,60„ 1 & &&&mg V•MIss, 1 1.1-ban _1111111__ 248.354.6060 Employment Tapper's Diamond Buying Guide Quicken Loans Insert e,S.crl,ae 4, • 29200 Northwestern Hwy. • Suite 110 • Southfield, MI 48034 6/1.7, 1727650 January 19 2012 Contact Kevin Browett or Debbie Schultz at Cranbrook Banners & Buttons Brouisik Our School Cokialware.. to ticed4 Ware Mora ft2R 1,02 ■ 1 14 me,,,, tfm. 22 Cranbrook Program How can we help you? 37% less likely to skip a class Fofoetio OD Below is a sample of some of our clients: Esim.