Surprise! We’re engaged π
The last 48 hours have been a whirlwind and I’m still a bit in shock as I write our engagement story. On Saturday afternoon Nick asked me to marry him in Gramercy Park and of course I said YES! We’re both over the moon and spent all day yesterday celebrating with loved ones and sharing our news with all our friends and family. To everyone who has reached out thus far– thank you thank you for the well wishes!
I had a pretty good feeling we’d get engaged sometime this summer, but I never expected it would happen the first weekend after getting back from our trip to Italy. I’m the “planner” in our relationship and we’ve always joked about how something as simple as choosing a restaurant and making a dinner reservation leaves Nick frazzled and stressed. Maybe that was all just a charade so he could pull off a meticulously planned surprise proposal π
The only plans we had this weekend were dinner Saturday night with my cousin Avery and our grandparents. Avery is interning in the city this summer so dinner was supposed to be a celebration for him and an opportunity to catch up with my Gram and Pop since we haven’t seen them in a few months. I should’ve known something was up since my grandparents don’t like driving into the city (too stressful for them) but Nick pulling off a proposal a few days after getting back from Italy was such a far-fetched idea that I didn’t even consider it could happen.
So here’s how it went down! Around 2PM on Saturday I was in the middle of a Netflix binge when Nick told me he was going to drop off his dry cleaning. I was completely engrossed in season 2 of 13 Reasons Why and had completely forgot he’d even left the apartment until I got a text that filled my stomach with butterflies.
“You have one hour. Meet me at Gramercy Park Hotel front desk. Say your name. No questions.”
I’ll be honest with you guys. Once I read the text I was 99% sure that this was the moment. There was no other reason he’d send me a text like that. He was going to propose!!!! I felt a mix of so many emotions: excitement, happiness, shock, love and panic when I realized I was still in sweatpants, my hair was in a frizzy topknot and apparently I had less than an hour to get myself looking presentable and all the way down to the Gramercy Park Hotel.
Somehow I made it to the hotel lobby within 55 minutes. Omg I was sooooo nervous. My hands were even shaking!!! I didn’t see Nick, so I just headed to the front desk and let them know my name and that I was supposed to be meeting my boyfriend. Right away one of the bellman took out a very ornate iron key and told me to the follow him. We proceeded out the revolving lobby door and turned towards the park. That’s when I saw Nick. His hands in his suit pockets, pacing back and forth behind the gate. If I was feeling stressed, I can’t imagine how he felt!
LOL we were both ugly crying by the time he had finished proposing!!!
For those of you not familiar with Gramercy Park here’s a little history. Gramercy Park is the only private park in Manhattan and has to be accessed via key by a park homeowner. I walk by it on a weekly basis and am totally guilty of creeping through the tall iron fence at the manicured gardens. I never thought I’d ever get to go inside in the park, but leave it up to Nick to figure out a caveat: booking a room at the Gramercy Park Hotel.
Once the hotel bellman opened the gate into the park, Nick took by the hand and led me down one of the winding walking paths before stopping at a large bed of gorgeous blooming purple flowers. I’d later learn that before I arrived Nick and Carter (who took these beautiful photos!) had scoped out the entire park looking for the perfect proposal spot.
It was there that Nick got down on one knee and asked me to marry him! He was so nervous and as you can see there were some tears and ugly cry faces on both sides. We’ve been together for so long (ten years this October!) and have basically been living like a married couple for close to six years. We knew this day would come, but I don’t think either of us expected to get so emotional! It was a really special moment <3
So what happened next? We snapped a few photos before walking back to the hotel. At that point I had started wondering– was dinner with my grandparents just a charade? Were they even here? Nick just told me we had about 15 minutes to take a moment for ourselves and cool off in the hotel (it was about 80+ degrees and we’d both been sweating bullets) before heading to our next destination. I was happy to find out that a bunch of our friends and a family members were waiting at a nearby pub with drinks to celebrate! π
Nick and I have always had a very transparent relationship, so of course over the last nine years we’ve had conversations about how we’d get engaged. I’d always told him that I didn’t want some over-the-top proposal with helicopters or fireworks or in some public place with strangers clapping, but I did hope it would be in a meaningful, intimate setting with some element of surprise.
I know that’s soooo open-ended and not very helpful guidance especially when you live in a large city, but he truly did nail it! If there’s anywhere that’s peaceful and serene in the loudest and most-crowded place in the U.S. it’s Gramercy Park.Β I asked him if he chose it because of the symbolism with having to get the special key to enter the park (aka his heart.) His response? Oh absolutelyyyyyyyy.
Of course the one time I decide to drag out my gel manicure an extra week, I get engaged. Ahhh! After announcing our news on Instagram yesterday I got a lot of messages asking for a ring close-up so here you go!
Nick worked with jeweler Stephanie Gottlieb to design my perfect dream ring: a classic emerald cut diamond on a ultra thin rose gold pave band. He did good, huh? I don’t own a lot of jewelry and have never regularly worn a ring so this is definitely going to be an adjustment.Β I honestly can’t stop staring at my hand it’s so beautiful and sparkly!
Well, that’s our story! My brain still feels a bit like sappy mush from the weekend, but I wanted to clue you guys in on our special news. I still feel completely surprised and think I need a few days to actually wrap my head around the fact: WE’RE ENGAGED.
In terms of next steps with wedding planning, I honestly have no idea where to start or even how we want to make things “official.” This week I’m going to try my best to live in the moment with Nick and take some time for ourselves before getting bogged down in any planning. I just love him, and what we have together so much and I’m so happy my blog has given me the privilege to share this moment with all of you too! Thank you again from the bottom of both our hearts for all the sweet messages!!! We’ve been on a few fun journeys, but I think this one could be the best yet <3
Saakshi says
Congrats! Iβm so happy for you Katie! I remember finding your videos when I was starting college in 2013 and needed advice on what to bring etc. Iβve followed you and Nick ever since and seen how beautifully your relationship has evolved. The two of you deserve the best and I wish you both a life time of happiness. Canβt wait to be along for the ride! β€οΈ
Katie says
Aw thank you so much Saakshi! It means a lot that you’ve kept up with me and my blog for so long π I’m looking forward to sharing more about our wedding journey with everyone!!
Alexis says
Congratulations! From a fellow recently engaged gal, definitely take the time to soak it all in! Thereβs so much time to plan!! The ring is stunning!
Katie says
Thanks Alexis!! I’m definitely going to try to before getting bogged down in any planning π
Andrea says
So happy for you!!! Your ring is gorgeous!! xx Andrea
Katie says
You’re so sweet thank you!!! I love it too π
Alexandra says
What a beautiful heartfelt story! Congratulations to the both of you! The ring is stunning- you both look stunning- Carter did a great job with the pictures! Love it all! FΓ©licitations!
Katie says
Thank you Alexandra! Your comment really means a lot π
Liv says
My heart is so happy! I am so excited for you two. I been following your blog for years now and you both have been serious couple goals. I am so happy for you and can’t wait to see what the wedding plans are like!
Liv
http://livforstyle.net
Katie says
Omg that’s incredible you’ve been following for so long– I’m so so grateful! Thank you Liv π
Laura B. says
I DIE Iβm so happy for you guys, what a perfect story!! I wish you all the happiness and excitement!! AND emerald cuts are my absolute favorite, swooning over that rock!! xoxx
Katie says
Thank you Laura!! He definitely did good with the ring π
Natalie C. says
Katie- congrats! I live in South Carolina, but I recently started following your blog because I am OBSESSED with New York City and bloggers, so I have loved following yours. I was especially excited for your engagement because I just got engaged in Gramercy Park myself, back in December 2016! I agree that it is so fun to be surprised and it is the most romantic place to get engaged in the city. Enjoy your engagement and congrats again!
Katie says
Omg no way! Isn’t it the most perfect proposal spot??? Congrats to you too! xo
Rachel says
That text! Ahhh! I can’t even imagine. Nick did a great job planning such a thoughtful proposal. Congrats, Katie!
Katie says
Thank you so much Rachel! He really did do such a great job π
Stephanie says
This is adorable! I’ve been following you for years so I’ve always kind of wondered when this day would come. What a perfect proposal. Congrats!
Katie says
Hah yes we definitely took our time waiting to get engaged LOL. Thank you for the well wishes!!
Kelly says
You two are so perfect for each other! Loved reading the proposal story! π
Katie says
Aw thank you Kelly!
Kw says
Congrats!! What a beautiful park and amazing planning by nick!
Katie says
Thank you so much! xo
Annaliese says
Congratulations Katie!! What a beautiful proposal story- wishing you and Nick the best as you begin as an engaged couple!
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Katie says
Thanks so much that means a lot to us!! xo
Maya says
What a lovely story. So happy for you. Gorgeous ring!!! Wishing you a long lifetime filled with good health, love, laughter and endless happiness xx
Katie says
You are too kind! Thank you!!
Gentry Adams says
Huge congratulations!!! I was so excited to see the news- yβall are precious! And gorgeous ring!
Katie says
Thanks girl! He did good with the ring π
Allie says
Congratulations! You two are glowing with love! What a perfect engagement story! xAllie
http://www.theallthatglittersblog.com
Katie says
Thanks Allie!
Denise Boucher says
Complimenti! Thank you for sharing your beautiful story with your followers! Now, the two shall become one! Love and blessings! The best is yet to come! β€οΈ
Katie says
Thanks so much Denise!
Lyndsay says
Congratulations to you both! I’m so excited for you guys! It sounds like the proposal was so sweet and perfect and the ring is lovely! If I could offer one tiny piece of unsolicited advice – definitely wait at least a few weeks and soak in all of this newly engaged goodness before you even think about wedding planning! Once you get into the planning mindset it can be hard to turn it off, especially when you are trying to figure out what things are called, what you’re looking for, etc. π
Katie says
I really appreciate the advice!! Thank you Lyndsay!
Carly T Young says
OMG holding my breath the whole time I read this and I feel like I need to ugly cry now. So happy for you two! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Katie says
Oh no don’t cry it’s a happy post!!! Thanks Carly!!
Lynne says
Congratulations! Best wishes! You’re a beautiful couple! I’ve enjoyed following your courtship. So looking forward to your engagement blogging!!!
XOXO
Katie says
Thanks so much Lynne!
Gigi says
What a beautiful story! A gorgeous princess and the love of her life. A truly magical moment in time. Congratulations to you both! Couldnβt wish for anything better.
John says
Congratulations to my beautiful granddaughter and Nicky.
Enjoy “the sweet spot between carefree, just engaged life and the start of serious wedding planning”
Love you both, Pop
Deborah says
Congratulations to you both and to Nick for pulling off a sweet proposal! Good job Nick!
Louis Pagano says
Katie & Nick,
WOW!!!
Nick–So happy you were able to pull this off without a hitch.
Katie–I’ve been hearing all about this, several times, when I played golf with your wonderful Grandfather,John. He made me swear that I wouldn’t tell anyone about what was going to happen in Gramercy Park. BTW, I did tell my wife, Ellen. I knew I could trust her since we will celebrate 50 years of marriage this July.
Enjoy the memories of all that went on that beautiful day and good luck as you both plan your wedding.
Love to both of you,
Lou & Ellen
Alexa M Johnson says
Congrats! Beautiful ring!
http://alexamjohnson.com
Alicia says
This was absolutely wonderful! Nick did exactly what you wanted for your proposal! The Gramercy Park and that ring were all you needed (besides Nick ) so happy for you guys. Enjoy the moments ahead.
Analaura DeVary says
A very sweet proposal, congratulations on this and your marriage!