On December 23rd 2002, a boy asked a girl if she would be his girlfriend.
Twelve years and two days later, that same boy asked that same girl if she would marry him.
She said HECK YES!
For those of you who don’t know, Steve and I are high school sweethearts. We started dating our sophomore year of high school in fact and were good friends even before that. Like any relationship, we’ve had our share of ups and downs but the downs have only made us that much stronger as a couple. In college, I moved away to Boston and he stayed back in Buffalo and the long distance was one of our most trying times. But as they say, love conquers all, and after I completed my dietetic internship in Boston and got hired for my first job as a RD, Steve moved to Boston, we moved in together, and things have only gotten sweeter and sweeter since.
SOOOO the big question: how did he propose?
It was Christmas and my dad’s side of the family came over to my parents’ house for dinner. We had about 20 people or so crammed into my house. We ate. Drank. And were merry. We know how to party so everyone stayed until about 10pm or so. Once they left, I ran upstairs to get my PJs on. Faster than you could say “your boyfriend is about to propose”. So I come downstairs. Fat pats on. Sans bra (hence why my legs are covering my shirt in the first picture haha). And plop myself on the couch. I forget what was even playing on TV. My parents and younger sister were hanging out downstairs too. Now it’s probably close to 11pm and Steve asked me if I wanted to exchange Christmas presents. I said sure, and we went upstairs to my bedroom at my parents’ house. The bedroom where it all began 12 years ago.
I gave him his gift – a leather bound notebook for his new marketing job he starts on the 5th, and I started to open up my gifts. A sweatshirt that says “kale” on it, a pair of gloves, and then I open up this plate.
Confused, I look up at Steve. What’s with the plate? He said well, there’s a story that goes along with it. He said remember how when we were in high school, I used to tell you make believe stories about our relationship through the tale of two polar bears? He had my attention (I loved those stories – they were also so creative and cute). Well, he said, this is the story about two lady bugs.
So he begins his story…once upon a time, there were these two lady bugs…
Now, my brain is like holy shit. He’s telling me a story about our relationship. He’s getting sentimental. Something’s about to go down! Reacting to the thoughts floating through my brain, my eyes got really, really big. And Steve noticed.
Now, Steve’s brain is all like holy shit, she knows! She knows I’m about to propose. So he panicked. And he blanked on the whole story. So he quickly wrapped it up – and they lived happily ever after. The End.
Now I’m all like whaaaaaa? Enter the awkward silence. So I placed the plate aside and said I don’t get it…. LOL
Then I asked Steve for the card he had for me, thinking well maybeeee something is in the card! Not a ring obvi, but I was fishing.
Notta. But in the card it said “I hope you liked the story. I can’t wait for our next chapter.” (along with some other sweet nothings).
Now I’m REALLY confused. Thinking to myself WHAT story?! There was no story! And what’s this next chapter?!
Meanwhile Steve’s like I gotta get her off the bed and to turn around so I can rebound here and give her the ring. So he asks, do you want go back downstairs and watch Christmas movies?
SURE (the most defeated, disappointed SURE that was ever said in the history of SUREs).
I turn around to walk out of the bedroom. And he says “wait, I have one more present for you”. And as I turn around, Steve is down on one knee with the ring!!!!
I was SO shocked!!! And then he said a lot of sweet nothings I won’t get into to. And I said YES!
Steve was so cute. It was really adorable how nervous he got to pop the question. It was also really sweet how important to him it was that I was totally 100% surprised. He said to me after that he knew if he did anything out of the ordinary to propose – if he took me away somewhere – anything, that I would know. He’s like you’re so sharp and so clever (thank you, thank you), I knew I had to do something that would be so ordinary (like exchanging Christmas presents) so that you wouldn’t suspect it. As for that lady bug story? Steve typed it out so he’s currently getting it framed for us :).
He also wanted to do it while we were back in Buffalo so we could celebrate the news with all of our family and friends!
Although the kale sweatshirt was a close second, I don’t think any Christmas present will ever compare. It was such a special night and weekend. I’m still in shock, in awe, in excitement. And I can’t wait to start planning the BIG day!
Thank you for all your love and sweet words on social media over the weekend. I feel so blessed and grateful to have such amazing friends and family in our lives.
xoxo
Ps. Happy New Year! I’ll be back on Friday with a 2014 Favorites Round-Up.
awww…. congrats, kara! that’s the best christmas present ever. poor guys, they have such pressure to pull it off just right. sounds like he put lots of love and thought into it all, and you’ve got a good one. thrilled for you both!
Thanks, Gretchen!! Don’t think any Christmas present will top that one. I know, poor guys. And I didn’t even tell the story about him asking my Dad for his blessing. I think he was just a ball of nerves that whole week! Hopefully it was all worth it ;).
Awwr, I checked back on your blog at just the right time. Congratulations, Kara! Your engagement story is so cute. Could you have started 2015 on any happier or more exciting note?!
Thanks so much!! I don’t think I could have! Couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas and holiday season. It was so nice to celebrate the news with lots of family and friends around 🙂
Congratsssss- the ring is absolutely gorg!!!! I love a crafty proposal story that is original- thumbs up to Steve 🙂
Thanks so much, Jess!! xoxo
Congratulations Kara & Steve! Wishing you so much love, happiness and delicious meals together! My favorite is that after 12 years and 2 days, you still get each other a little nervous – that’s love! Enjoy it all!
Thanks so much, Alex!! Haha yup. And I don’t think that will ever change ;). Happy New Year!
That proposal story is so sweet. And your ring is stunning. Congratulations!!!
Awww. Thanks so much, Sam!!
I love this and love you two! The lady bug plate is so cute – did he make it?? Lunch soon! xo
Thanks, Janel!! He found the plate at Anthropologie :). Yes, please to a lunch date soon!!
Congratulations!!! This is such a wonderful and adorable engagement story, parts of it really remind me of my own. An amazing way to wrap up 2014 and I wish you all the best in 2015. Happy New Year!
Thanks, Sonali!! Was your engagement perfectly imperfect as well? :). I love how “us” the story is. Wouldn’t have it any other way. Cheers to 2015!
Thanks for sharing this sweet story. I’m so happy for you and I can’t wait to meet Steve one day soon. Enjoy every second of this!! Xoxo
Thanks, Jenna!! I hope you and Steve will meet someday soon too…and that I can meet all of #teamBraddock! HNY! xoxo
Congrats! That’s a fun story that you both will never forget, especially with the ladybug story written out 🙂 You both look so happy-enjoy your engagement & wedding planning
Thanks, Rebecca! So happy I have the plate and story to cherish for years to come :). Happy New Year!
Kara!! Congratulations!! And thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful and unforgettable memory with us ;). You and Steve are so adorable together!! 12 years..wow…cheers to many many more years together!!
Thanks so much, Min!! Those 12 years have flown by, let me tell you (time flies when you’re having fun)! Happy New Year xoxo
Oh love this story!! Everything about it was adorable! So glad you have those memories! Happy New Year
Thanks so much, Sam! So happy I have those fond memories to hold onto. Cheers to 2015!
Congrats!! Love your story, I am also married to my high school sweetheart 🙂 Best of luck with the wedding planning, enjoy every moment!
Thanks, Lauren! So precious. Love high school sweetheart stories! Both my parents and Steve’s parents are high school sweethearts! 🙂
Such a cute story…and gorgeous bling! Congrats to you both! xo
Thanks, Danielle! He’s got good taste :). xo
Congrats!!!! This is so exciting – love reading these stories. Wish you both the best of luck wedding planning and a wonderful future together. Remember…relax and enjoy the journey 🙂 Happy New Year, Kara!
Thanks, Alanna!! My intention this year is to just enjoy the process and not let the wedding planning stress me out! HNY, friend!
Awww, congrats Kara! Many blessings to you.
Thanks so much, Melanie!!
Ah! So cute congratulations!! Very happy for you both. It is going to be a great year ahead! p.s. my fiance was obsessed with it being a surprise too. The stories he made up to make it happen were ridiculous lol. Congrats again <3 <3
Thanks, Ayla!! Excited for a year of wedding planning ahead! I might look to you for tips! 😉
Congratulations Kara! Such a sweet story and post!
Many thanks, Kit!!
OMG! Congratulations Kara!!!!!!!! So exciting and I adore your ring 🙂 🙂
Thanks so much, Steph!! Happy New Year!
Aw, o my goodness, congratulations!!!!!!!! The ring is beautiful and you two are SOOOO sweet together! XOXOXOXOXO
Thanks, Rebecca!!! You’re too sweet!! xoxo
Congrats Kara! What a sweet story + wishing a happy new year. I would love a kale sweatshirt too (my mom bought me a eat more kale yoga mat last year 🙂 )
Thanks, Lauren! Wishing you all the best and more in 2015! xo
Adorable! Congratulations lady bug!
haha thanks, Alison!!
Congratulations Kara! So happy for both of you! What a lovely story about your proposal too! So special! May you both be blessed in the new year!
Thanks, Jo-Ann!! Wishing you much joy in 2015!
so adorable. and i LOVE that plate. What a great way to cherish this memory 🙂
Thanks, Lindsay. So happy I have that plate to hold onto for years as a fond memory of that night 🙂
Congratulations again! Love the story – so adorable, just like you! Great way to enter the new year! Happy 2015!
Thanks, Jessica!! Happy New Year! xo
LOVE this story! So sweet. I hope you and Steve enjoy years of happiness together. Congratulations on your engagement!
Many thanks, Marisa!! xo
Congratulations Kara!!!! Thank you for sharing this adorable story and the pictures. You and Steve are a great looking couple and are clearly very happy. My husband and I are high school sweethearts and started dating when I was a sophomore and he a junior in high school, so this story is even sweeter to me. We’ve been married 25 amazing years and I adore him. I’m so excited for you!!!
Thanks Linda!! So sweet – I love hearing stories about fellow high school sweethearts. Believe it or not, both my parents and Steve’s parents were high school sweethearts! We always joke it’s in our DNA. 🙂
What a sweet proposal story! The ladybug story kills me! I’m literally sitting here smiling while I read it! You look beautiful and happy and in love! Love that you got engaged in your pj’s too – the day we got engaged I changed into an oversized NY Giants shirt and fleece sweatpants…which oddly I’m actually currently wearing!
Awwww thanks so much Rachael!! I’m totally convinced now that more people get engaged in their PJs than you’d think! Considering I live in sweats and yoga pants, the odds were high 🙂
Congratulations! This is such a cute story. The ring is gorgeous. Happy New Year to you both!
Thanks so much, Amanda! Cheers to 2015!
AW! I love this!!! And your “I don’t get it” is totally relatable. That is the kind of thing I would do to. Also probably in pajamas.
Haha I want to see some stats on engagements that occur in PJs.
Congratulations on your engagement. What an exciting time for both of you and your families.
Thanks, Allie!!
What a wonderful story! Is it weird I didn’t stop smiling the whole time I read it? Perfect way to start the new year! Wishing you a happy engagement 🙂
Thanks so much, Julie! I couldn’t stop smiling the whole time I wrote it so no, not weird at all 🙂 It’s a pretty funny story!