Not even Irene could keep them apart

“All systems go!” That was the message Michael Coutu of Rockville Centre sent to his father, Gene, owner of Copiague Auto Wash on the eve of Hurricane Irene. After months of planning the perfect proposal to his girlfriend Nicole, the stage was set, signs were hung and champagne was chilling in the spruced up waiting area. And nothing, not even Hurricane Irene, was going to stop Michael from proposing.

The couple pulled into the car wash at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27. Nicole, who is originally from San Diego, had been to a car wash just once in her life, so she was sufficiently intrigued when asked to go through the cleaning tunnel as a final check, to make sure everything was functioning properly before Hurricane Irene’s arrival. She saw first-hand the newly installed, soft chamois clean-water-system that rinses the tri-colored wax from the car. But perhaps what caught her eye most was the giant sign that unraveled from above with the all-important question. For the record, she said “yes.”

Asked why he proposed at the car wash, Michael said, “I had to think of something truly unique—something she would never expect. The fact that it was scheduled during the same week as an earthquake and a hurricane was sheer coincidence!”

The couple immediately celebrated with a champagne toast and plans a wedding next year. Michael’s parents, Marie and Gene Coutu, also of Rockville Centre, were on hand for the celebration.