Several readers may remember the breaking news of December 4, 2009, when Roll Call reported:

Baucus Nominated Girlfriend for U.S. Attorney

Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus’ office confirmed late Friday night that the Montana Democrat was carrying on an affair with his state office director, Melodee Hanes, when he nominated her to be U.S. attorney in Montana.

I posted that information on this website and then wrote a column about it on December 5, 2009. The Montana newspaper editorial boards had very little to say about Baucus and his ethics problem.

That’s old news now – it’s time to plan a wedding!!!!

Yesterday it was announced that Baucus and Hanes were engaged over Christmas vacation and will be married this summer in Montana. This is going to be the big event in Montana for the summer of 2011!

We did not get many details like how Max popped the question to Melodee. The romantic person in me thinks Max did a day of work at a jewelry store and Melodee came in and looked at rings and he said pick one and popped the question right there.

Or maybe he ordered some M&Ms with the words “Will You Marry Me Melodee” printed with one word on each piece of candy (in her favorite colors) and they had “snacks” around the fireplace and he brought out the bag of M&Ms.

Or maybe Max had the Air National Guard do a flyover with the words “Will You Marry Me Melodee” written in their jet stream as they were hiking near Helena. He’s that powerful!

Sadly, the Montana reporters failed big time on getting the details on the most important story of 2011 (so far) as most of the stories reporting the “big event” contained a little over 125 words. Where’s the National Enquirer on this story?

It would have been nice if the love birds would have placed the information on the “Celebration” or “Announcement” page where they list engagements, weddings and anniversaries – and with a nice photo.

I wonder if they will register at Target, Macy’s, or Dillards in Helena? Maybe they will register at all three because Max has (or had) a big house in Washington, D.C. (He’s recently divorced, so he may have sold the $970,000 home).

Maybe they will start a wedding blog or at least post some photos on the web.

I’m also thinking Senator Jon Tester will be his best man…or at least a groomsman – because they are that close. Tester could play his trumpet at the reception and use his tractor in the wedding for something…

Max could also use the wedding as a fundraiser for him and Tester instead of holding the annual Sieben Ranch Barbecue and Hoedown. The newlyweds could go on a junket somewhere like United Arab Emirates or Vietnam for their honeymoon.

This is going to be a big event so mark your calendars for the summer of 2011. If I get further details, I will post them here ASAP. Congratulations Max and Melodee!!!