This post is sponsored by JamesAllen.com. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Surprise! We’re engaged!
It’s been a little over a week since TJ proposed and I’m still in awe over how it went down! I’ve received a few requests to share more about our engagement, so I figured now is the best time to share all the details on how we met along with the proposal story.
How We Met – Rewind 7 Years Ago
TJ and I met in 2014 through mutual college friends from our alma mater, Virginia Commonwealth University. We spent the first few months chatting online as friends and finally met up in person to attend a local outdoor festival. We remained distant friends throughout the next year as we dated other people and were at different chapters of our lives. In October 2015, I relocated from Virginia to Texas for work. I knew that we would keep in touch, but had no idea that this new distance would somehow make us even closer. A few months after the move, TJ flew down to visit. We spent the trip sightseeing and catching up, but something felt different. We eventually started dating in January 2017 and spent a year traveling back and forth to visit each other until I finally relocated back to Virginia in 2018.
Over the last few years, we’ve shared our ups and down, laughs and tears, and even welcomed a beautiful baby girl into the world. We’ve had family and friends comment “about time!” or “finally!” after TJ proposed because in reality, 4 years is a long time for “courtship”, but for us, it was the perfect amount of time to grow as a couple.
Over the last year, we had started discussing marriage and what our future looked like together. We spent a lot of time familiarizing ourselves with online engagement ring retailers and always landed back on JamesAllen.com. Their diamond prices were not only the most reasonably priced, but we also loved how they’re certified conflict-free (which is something that’s extremely important to me). TJ actually partnered with James Allen to secretly create my dream ring: an oval cut diamond on a thin gold pave band. He did such an amazing job you guys – I seriously cannot stop staring at my hand! Keep an eye out for an upcoming blog post where TJ shares all the details that went into the ring design process on JamesAllen.com, along with helpful tips he learned along the way while searching for the perfect diamond.
72 Hours before the proposal
A few days before the proposal, TJ casually mentioned that one of our mutual friends, Nikko, was throwing an event at a winery for his business, Chilalay on Saturday, May 1st. Nothing about this seemed out of the ordinary as Nikko throws several business events throughout the year. My initial concern was how many people would be attending (as I wanted to make sure we could safely social distance ourselves). TJ reassured me that it was a small outdoor event and that there would be plenty room for us to space out. He also suggested that I bring my camera so we could shoot content while we were there. Again, nothing seemed out of the ordinary as TJ typically shoots all my content. Looking back, I now realize that he made this suggestion so that I would dress nicer than normal for the proposal. Well played, TJ.
Because TJ’s parents are local, we usually rely on them to watch Nori when we need a sitter, but they unfortunately had prior engagements the weekend of the “event”. I reached out to my mom (who lives in Maryland) and thankfully she was available to travel down to watch Nori. Little did I know, both sets of parents were in on the plan.
The morning of the proposal
Nothing stood out that morning. We fixed breakfast, relaxed with Nori, and got dressed. Knowing that we’d have the day to ourselves, I packed my camera and a few extra outfits as I planned to batch shoot after the event. It’s rare that we get free time to ourselves, so I wanted to take full-advantage of this time. We loaded the car, said our goodbyes to Nori and my mom, and we were off.
En route to King Family Vineyards
I noticed TJ was a little quiet during the ride, but I was so focused on editing and publishing a blog post that I didn’t think much of it. Now we joke about it looking back how nervous TJ was during the entire drive knowing that he would be proposing in a little over an hour.
30 minutes until the proposal
We arrived to the vineyard a little after noon. As we walked in, I immediately spotted Nikko, another mutual friend and a videographer. Many of Nikko’s events are filmed and turned into promotional videos, so nothing seemed off about a “camera man” being there. They greeted us and let us know that we were a little early and other guests should be arriving shortly. While we waited, TJ and I headed indoors to grab a glass of wine. Once returning, Nikko informed us that another guest had just arrived and he excused himself to go meet them. Unsure of how long it would take for the “event” to start, TJ suggested that we walk down to the food trucks to grab a bite to eat. As we began scanning the menu’s, nothing struck us as appetizing so we passed on eating and just sipped wine and admired the views instead. After about 10 minutes passing by, I begin questioning where Nikko and the guest(s) were. TJ brushed it off and suggested that they’re probably inside ordering drinks and it shouldn’t be much longer. At this moment I should have known something was up, but proposing at a crowded vineyard during one of our close friends “events” was such a far-fetched idea that I didn’t even consider it could happen.
While we waited, I noticed there were several open fields directly across from us with horses. I asked TJ if he would mind walking over so I could get a few close shots of them with my camera. As we began walking towards the horses, TJ’s pace started to slow down while he uttered the words:
“Do you remember when we first met?
I found it to be such an odd question for a time like this, but I responded “Yeah, I remember. River Rock Festival wasn’t it?“. We continued to make small talk about how it was around this time in 2014 that we first met in person and how much fun we had.
He smiles and continued, “I can’t believe how long ago that was. You met the entire crew that day. I’ve never told you this but I joked with my friends after you left that I was going to marry you one day.“
At this point, we both stopped walking. I froze as I anticipated what was about to happen next. My mind was racing as I began putting the pieces together. TJ looked down at me with tear-filled eyes and says,
I knew when I met you that this could be the beginning of something special. Look how far we’ve come. We’ve been through ups and downs like every couple but I genuinely believe it was all worth it. I wouldn’t change a thing and couldn’t imagine growing with anyone else. You’ve helped me grow into the man I am today. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you…. Turn around.
At this point, my heart was beating a million times a minute. I turn around and I’m at a loss for words at what’s behind me. My mother, sister, nephew, best friend, TJ’s parent’s, sister and Nori are all staring back at me. Standing in the center was TJ’s dad holding a sign that read “Marry Me Brooke”. Tears immediately began falling from my face as I turn back around to see TJ kneeling on one knee. I wrapped my arms around him repeating, “Yes, yes, yes”.
I had always imagined how TJ would propose when the day came, but never in a million years would I have imagined it would happen this way. It was the most beautiful intimate proposal and the icing on the cake was having our families there to be a part of such a special day. Looking back, I realize how much time and effort went into planning the proposal, from using Nikko as a cover for the “event”, to perfectly executing the timing so that our families would arrive shortly after we did. We spent the next hour celebrating, taking photos, and sipping wine in the vineyard. The day honestly couldn’t have been more perfect.
And there you have it, that’s our story! We are so grateful for all the kind words and warm wishes! In terms of next steps with wedding planning, I honestly have no idea where to start, but I’m looking forward to bringing you along throughout the entire process!
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