I said yes

Thank you so much to everyone who shared kind words and well wishes on our recent engagement. We read each and every message, and they have really warmed our hearts. Some of them were from longtime readers, with whom I’ve been fortunate to share snippets of fashion and life through this blog over the years. Several of you have asked about the proposal, so I figured I’d share on here…

We recently purchased our first condo and are doing renovations before moving in, which means the weekend started off like any other these days: with a visit to our BFFs at Home Depot. We grabbed a few bags of soil and picked out some pieces for the bathroom…riveting stuff…(Nick claims he used his better judgment at this point and resisted popping the question in the plumbing aisle). Back at our place, we were getting ready to work so I started to change into my manual labor “scrubs.” Nick asked if I wanted to keep my normal outfit on, which should’ve been my first clue something was up. He’s usually a strong advocate for practicality, so I’m thinking…are you nuts? I’m going to be hauling tile and shoveling cow manure!

I ignored this strange advice and proceeded to put on my dirty clothes and ratty sneakers. After just a few loaded trips up and down the stairs, I was panting like a dog and desperately needed to cool off on the roof. My tomatoes needed re-potting, so I decided to busy myself with that (yes, that is now my idea of fun…I’ve fast-forwarded straight to senior citizenship).

proposal 1

Soon after, Nick came bounding onto the roof deck with multiple cameras swinging from his neck (should’ve been my second clue). I figured the boy just liked to take scenic photos, so I went on super-focused on my plants. He appeared to aimlessly wander around the roof for a while before popping up from behind me with a bunch of seed packets in his hands. “Why don’t you plant these seeds?” I glanced disinterestedly and was like, cucumbers? It’s not the season yet!

proposal 2

He kept on awkwardly pushing them toward me saying I should plant them, which only made me more thoroughly confused, as seen above.

seed packet front

It took a while for me to realize a “special” packet was wedged between the cucumber seeds…

proposal 3

After seeing the back of the packet, it finally started to come together. I don’t remember a word said after that except he was down on one knee, and I was vigorously nodding. And it wasn’t until the ring was on that I noticed the multiple cameras from before set up like spycams.

seed packet back

I met Nick while we were freshmen in college, but even then it wasn’t hard for me to see his patience, creativity, and huge heart – qualities that I knew I’d be lucky to have someday in a husband and the father of my children. I’m the happiest girl to be starting the next chapter of life with my biggest supporter and best friend.

proposal 4

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337 Comments

  1. Celena wrote:

    Congrats! I've been following your blog for a few years now and it's great to see PAB pop the question 🙂 Wishing you guys the best!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  2. KDot wrote:

    This brought tears to my eyes. I'm so happy for you both!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  3. Anonymous wrote:

    Another long time lurker here. That is such a cute proposal and you guys have it photographed. Your expression on that confused pic made me laugh out loud. Congratulations on starting a new chapter of your life. You two make an adorable couple. Nick should guest post on his side of the story? It'd be a great read. Congrats again!!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  4. Anonymous wrote:

    CONGRATS!!!! 🙂

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  5. Anonymous wrote:

    Another long time lurker, but I just had to offer you my biggest congratulations!!! You make the most beautiful couple. All the best in this new, exciting adventure!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  6. Colleen wrote:

    …And I'm crying. That is SO CUTE!!! Congratulations!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  7. Kathrin Johnston wrote:

    Congratulations Jean and Nick! I'm so happy for you both and excited to see the next part of your lives together

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  8. Celine Lunde wrote:

    Soooo cute! Congratulations!
    I love engagements, my sister recently got engaged too!
    xx

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  9. louis wrote:

    when we moved into our new house, we practically lived at home depot. that would have been a funny proposal but i'm glad he waited. this is such a cute story, and will be a beautiful memory (captured with creativity) for you both. congratulations!!! xo

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  10. Cher wrote:

    So sweet, Jean!! Congratulations! I'm so thrilled for you!!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  11. TaraMixandMatch wrote:

    Aw, this is such a cute way to propose! Congrats to you both, I can't wait to hear about all of the wedding planning 🙂

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  12. Jen wrote:

    Unexpected and intimate proposals are the best kind! What a perfect, perfect proposal. Bravo Nick!!!! Congratulations to the two of you and I absolutely cannot wait to see your wedding story come together! (And hurry and finish those renovations so Ben and I can sneak over to Boston and celebrate in person!) GIANT HUGS!!!!!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  13. Amy wrote:

    This is by far the most adorable proposal I've ever seen.The look on your face is priceless hahaha. It would've been a shame if that moment hadn't been captured :'D Anyway, congratulations! You guys look great together (:

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  14. Anonymous wrote:

    Beautiful!! Best wishes to both of you, not just on your wedding day, but to your future life together <3

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  15. Anonymous wrote:

    congratulation, even though I just read you blog, I love your style, but don't forget to tell your love ones the good news, my daughter never told me when she was engage or went to registered, only told me the wedding date, I wish you the best.

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  16. Anonymous wrote:

    OMG I'm crying….. This is just so touching and wonderful. I've been reading your blog for a long time but never commented. Congrats! I've always loved how you truthfully present everything, and I believed a girl like you deserved the best!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  17. Angie J. wrote:

    Oh my god awww this is so adorable! CONGRATS TO YOU BOTH. You two are the cutest 😀

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  18. pumpkinmommy wrote:

    Your "WTF" face is just too adorable. Congratulations! I hope to see lots of wedding planning posts!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  19. Samantha Mariko wrote:

    this is the sweetest proposal! congratulations!!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  20. Astrid wrote:

    Hi Jean, I have been reading your blog for such a long time (you're my favorite blogger), but never commented. On this occasion however I 'd like to wish you all the best for a long and happy life together! Big congrats from The Netherlands!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  21. Noor Clothes &amp; Dreams wrote:

    How extremely cute with the different cameras!! 😀 Congrats! 😀

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  22. Chantelle wrote:

    OMG congratulations this is SOOO ADORABLE! I love how sneaky he was, and you TOTALLY DIDN'T expect it. Aahhahahah those are the best ones!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  23. Joleen Carmichael wrote:

    Such a cute proposal! I'm so happy for you guys!! <3

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  24. Carla Krae wrote:

    So sweet. Nice ring, too.

    Will you share the process of looking for a dress? My one time trying on wedding dresses as a petite, everything was huge on me, even one marked a "0". This was back in the late '90s, though, so I hope there are more sizes available to petite brides now. I ended up talking to a seamstress for a custom dress back then (before the engagement ended).

    So I'm wishing you lots of luck! My younger sister and a friend's daughter both found their dresses over last weekend with ease and I hope your search will go just as smoothly.

    Congrats again!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  25. Minnie Moy wrote:

    Congrats Jean! You guys are so awesome together!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  26. Anonymous wrote:

    Wow… this is so creative! Congrats to the both of you! Wish you the best!!!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  27. Mei Fleming wrote:

    Cutest proposal and the sweetest relationship it sounds like. So happy for you and wish you a happy life together. Congratulations!!

    Mei

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  28. Cua Wendy Muas wrote:

    Congrats on your union. This is absolutely adorable.

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  29. Tina wrote:

    One of the best proposal stories ever. Kudos to Nick! Wish you two all the best.

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  30. Maria L. wrote:

    Congratulations!! This warms my heart so much and I couldn't be more happier for the both of you! The pictures are beautiful and I admit I have a few tears in my eyes! Wishing you and Nick all the best for the future 🙂

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  31. Anonymous wrote:

    LOVE LOVE LOVE! I have been reading your blog for maybe three years now, and am so happy for you both. Pics are beautiful, as always. Congratulations.

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  32. L L wrote:

    That was so sweet! I am so happy for you. Congrats Jean!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  33. Deena A wrote:

    I've been reading your blog for around 2 yrs, but rarely commented. Thank you for sharing bits and pieces of your life with us. I do wish I could meet you because you seem like an amazing person, and no doubt you and Nick will have a very happy life together =) many many congratulations to you both! You will be such a beautiful bride! =')

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  34. Anonymous wrote:

    Big congrats! Such a cute proposal story!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  35. Lili Marie wrote:

    awwwwwwww congratulations again!!!!!!! So happy for you!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing your engagement story, such a wonderful way to propose 🙂

    All the best wishes your way, you'll be a stunning bride 🙂

    PS: Wish I looked that good in my manual labor scrubs haha!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  36. Jenn @ hello, rigby! wrote:

    aw, what a sweet proposal story! thanks for sharing.

    jenn @ hello, rigby!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  37. Loan Truong wrote:

    You two are absolutely adorable!! I love the "WTF?!!" expression on your face!! And Nick is too cute with his insistence on those cucumber seeds!! Congratulations Jean and Nick!!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  38. atinycupofcake wrote:

    SO so adorable. Your fiance is such a smart man with good taste, not only in women but rings clearly 🙂 I wish you so much happiness Jean! Please please share wedding planning details and the big day!

    Grace

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  39. Carolines Day wrote:

    Again, congratulations!!! Thanks for sharing with us, and yay!!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  40. Joyce wrote:

    Your confused face in that picture is priceless! Nonetheless this post warmed my heart and made me tear up (okay I'm lying I cried). So happy for you two, congrats!!! 🙂 Wish you all the best

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  41. Karen wrote:

    SO SWEET!!! I am beaming from ear to ear, thank you so much for letting us share this beautiful moment with you!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  42. Olivia wrote:

    That is so adorable. Congratulations!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  43. andrea wrote:

    Such an adorable engagement story! Congrats!!!! Oh, and I LOVE your expression in the second photo, that's priceless! 🙂

    xoxo,
    Andrea

    http://www.andreaeveryday.com

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  44. Margaux wrote:

    Congratulations! I'm so happy for you two. This made my day. Thank you for sharing your story with us!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  45. Anonymous wrote:

    Congrats Jean and Nick! Such a cute story!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  46. With Each Passing Day wrote:

    I am so happy for you and Nick! I love the pictures. They are priceless. The proposal was very creative and super adorable. Thank you for sharing. I wish you two the lot of happiness.

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  47. Anonymous wrote:

    It's funny because I clearly remember just a few days ago wondering when you and Nick would get married because it's been a while… very sweet and creative proposal, Nick! Enjoy every moment from here to forever. Can't wait to see your future wedding posts!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  48. Anonymous wrote:

    Awwww happy tears to one of my fave bloggers! Congratulations Jean and Nick!! You deserve all the happiness!

    *Such a creative proposal btw, Nick (Good job!) haha

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  49. Reil family wrote:

    Congratulation, you guys are such a cute couple.

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply
  50. morabbiton wrote:

    so lovely. Congratulations!!

    Posted 5.7.14 Reply

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