Ellen Pompeo, Boyfriend Engaged

Ellen Pompeo, star of the hit series Grey's Anatomy, and her boyfriend, record producer Chris Ivery, are engaged, People magazine confirms.

Ivery proposed to Pompeo on Friday, which was the actress' birthday.

"She was surprised and thrilled," the actress's rep said.

Hopefully this union lasts a tad longer than Jason Alexander and Britney Spears... but chances are Ellen and Chris will top their effort.

Pompeo's longtime boyfriend finally presented her with a ring, finally making it official after nearly three years of dating. The two are both Boston-area natives and actually grew up minutes away from each other, although they didn't meet until pals introduced them in Los Angeles in 2003.

"We were friends for six months; then one night she just looked different to me," Ivery said.

Where and when will the wedding take place? Don't expect Ellen Pompeo to be dishing on that anytime soon. But she's happy.

"We were six degrees our whole lives, so I feel like we were sort of meant to be. We'll get married eventually, secretly."

Reports say he popped the question casually after breakfast in the couple's L.A. home. Sounds a lot less creative than Jack Black's courting methods.