Ciao, everyone! I’m currently writing this from our balcony in Positano. I meant to share our engagement story yesterday on the blog but jet lag got in the way (sorry about that!). A lot of people have asked if I knew the engagement was coming and the answer is sort-of! Chris and I had looked at rings together last June – he wanted to get my ring finger sized and see what kind of rings I was interested in. I think I confused him pretty badly though, because I kept changing my mind! At first I wanted a gold solitaire, then changed my mind to a halo. In the end, I truly had no idea what ring he would end up getting. So while I did know that he was in the process of saving up for a ring, both the actual ring and the timing were a surprise.
In reality, it turns out Chris had been planning the proposal for six months! Back in January, Chris drove to Charlotte and took my parents out to lunch to ask their permission to marry me. They told me afterward that he was so nervous during lunch that he couldn’t eat a bite, and ended up taking the whole lunch home with him! My brother lives in Japan, so Chris called him and asked his permission too (which I thought was really sweet).
After Chris had my family’s permission, he started planning how he wanted to propose. He knows I’m really hard to surprise, so it would be a miracle if he pulled it off!! (I always guessed every single Christmas present I was going to get when I was growing up.) Apparently the proposal planning involved an excel spreadsheet, diagrams and maps. The most important part of the planning for Chris was finding a time that both of our families could be present – it was really important to him that both of our families be there for the engagement because family is everything to us. His sister even flew in for the occasion and had her flight booked months in advance.
Anyway, fast forward to Saturday! Chris told me that he wanted to spend the day together since he knew I was leaving for Italy the following Monday. This made perfect sense to me, so I didn’t question it. However I didddd start to question it a little bit when he picked me up from my apartment and told me he had a scavenger hunt planned for us. I became even more suspicious when he got on the highway and headed towards Charlotte! At one point I asked him what was going on and he said, “It’s not what you’re thinking, Caitlin!” knowing exactly what I was thinking π
After two hours of driving, Chris pulled into the parking lot of our favorite park in Charlotte, Freedom Park. This place is really special to us for a lot of reasons – we had some of our toughest and also best conversations on a certain bench in the park. When we got out of the car, I had a feeling that he was headed towards the bench! He was walking so fast I could barely keep up with him! Sure enough, he took me to our bench and we sat down. After the cutest speech I’ve ever heard, he got down on one knee and I immediately started crying! And of course I said yes!
Both of our families were at the park waiting in a different area. When we saw them for the first time I think we all started crying! Chris had made a reservation for us at a nearby restaurant that was dog-friendly, so we all headed there to have lunch and celebrate.
After lunch, Chris told me that the next “stage” of the surprise wasn’t until 4:30 so we had a couple of hours to kill. I suggested going to a brewery but Chris said no, so I asked if he wanted to go to Nordstrom instead. DREAM COME TRUE, he said yes! π I told him that it was the best day in history since I got engaged and got to go to Nordstrom on the same day (obviously a joke, but I crack myself up).
Later on in the day, Chris drove me to another “mystery location” that happened to be my favorite restaurant/bar in Charlotte when I lived there. When we walked around back, all of our friends were there waiting for us and shouted, “Surprise!” It was the sweetest moment to be able to celebrate with our friends. A lot of cupcakes and champagne were consumed!
It was honestly the best day of my life and I’m still walking on cloud nine. It still feels like a dream to be engaged to my best friend.
Our journey as a couple hasn’t always been easy or perfect. Life threw us some curveballs that we had to overcome as individuals, and we each had some growing up to do before we learned how to be a team. It is unreal what God is capable of if you trust in His plan, even when it doesn’t look like things are working out. Chris is truly my soulmate and best friend all in one and I can’t imagine my life without him. And now we have to start planning a wedding!!!
If you guys want to see some wedding content on the blog, let me know! I know it might not be interesting to some of you, but if you do want to see some content I will definitely make it happen! π
Thank you to EVERYONE who has commented, tweeted, emailed, etc. with your congratulations. Chris and I are so appreciative of every one of you!!!!
P.S. For those who asked on instagram, my dress is Showpo and you can get it here!
Congratulations again! Such a sweet story and something you'll look back on forever! Wedding planning is so exciting, so please share!
PS-Your ring is GORGEOUS–great job Chris! π
Yet again, a massive congratulations!!! I think I must have refreshed this page 100 times yesterday for this post lol. It's such exciting news! I can't wait to see all the wedding planning posts.
Arum Lilea
Congratulations! I am so happy for you and just smiled from ear to ear reading the whole thing. I've been married for years and was never into the wedding thing myself (we eloped!) but I still would like to hear you share your special plans. Just my two cents. π
Congrats, lovely! The story is so wonderful <3 hope you live happy as a family! I'd love to read some wedding content!
http://www.vickyweek.com
Happiness is written all over the faces of you and your fiancΓ© and your family and friends. What a "pinch-me" perfect start to a wonderful life together. Congratulations!!! Will love to see your wedding plans unfold on your blog.
http://www.windlasse.com
Congratulations! That is the cutest story! I just love it. Please share the wedding planning process! I am a wedding planner as my second job and I love hearing about weddings! π
Also, I love the dress but the white scares me! Is it see through at all?
Congratulations! So happy for you both!
xo, Caitlin
http://thesolcompass.com
I think most of your readers would love to see wedding content ! I know I would (and I'm nowhere near close to getting engaged myself)— it's just fun to see what people choose to do.
Another blogger I follow did a "Wedding Wednesday" format~ she only posted the wedding content once per week. It was my favorite !
(( it was my favorite post of the week!! It also let readers not into the wedding planning choose to not read the blog that day. I loved reading on Wednesdays lol))
Congrats! I am so excited for y'all! You will make a gorgeous bride! I would love to see wedding stuff on your blog. I am in the process of planning my wedding with my mom and we love new ideas π xoxo
congratulations honey!!
Congratulations!! What a sweet proposal. So happy for y'all!
Kim
http://trendkeeper.me
Yay! So exciting to hear the story behind the great news! Bring on all the wedding content!
P.S. I love the dog friendly inclusion and restaurant choices. Our little Zoey will be joining us at our wedding too.
Pam & Zoey
Foxydogstyle
Congratulations! What a coincidence you were wearing white! haha I would love to see wedding content as I am in the process of planning my own wedding.
Congratulations!!! This is such a great story π I would love to see a wedding post!!! My boyfriend just recently started asking me what kind of rings I like so I'm starting to get suspicious too LOL. I actually wanted to ask, is your ring from David Yurman?
Ahhh so excited for you! I'm in tears reading this ! He did an amazing job planning it out! So excited for you! God is good!
So happy for you! And yes, wedding and relationship content π Just erything girl!
Congratulations!! And yes to wedding content! I'm also planning a wedding and can use all the inspo I can get!
Congratulations!! Such a sweet proposal story. I'm very happy for you two!
I would love to see some wedding content on the blog! π
Aww, congratulations!! I absolutely love that he included your family and friends! Super sweet.
Congrats! I love the family aspect and that he had a whole surprise party planned! Sounds like the perfect day!
https://hotmesscoolday.wordpress.com
After reading your blog for so long (years?!), I can't help but feel like we're friends. Even though I love all engagements, I'm especially happy for you due to that one-sided "friendship" :). Best of luck to you, Chris, and your family as you embark on wedding planning. Enjoy every moment of this joyous time!
Emily
Beautiful ring. Yes on the wedding planning blogs.
Congratulations to you both!! Personally, I would enjoy seeing your wedding content on the blog.
awwww so much cuteness, Caitlin. Congratulations to you both on this special chapter in your lives!! You both look exceptionally happy.
http://www.luellapearl.com
Caitlin
Congratualtions! Ahh how romantic π» Enjoy your time on vaca!
http://www.taytayrose.com
Congratulations! YES YES YES on wedding content! I can't get enough of wedding blogs, I'm so excited to see what you do!
Congratulations to you and Chris!! What a beautiful and sweet proposal. I love how your family and friends were apart of the special day (that is my dream for my proposal someday too!!). Wishing y'all the best in this happy time, and of COURSE I would love to see some wedding posts. <3
xoxo A
http://www.southernbelleintraining.com
Awwww you guys are so cute! Congratulations <3
https://www.myblackcloset.com/
Congratulations!I would love to see wedding posts, and I'm so happy for both of you! π
That's so perfect! Sweet & simple (of course lots of planning). Congrats!
Congratulations! I'm so happy for you. gorgeous ring! Could you do a post on your hurdles and how you had to grow to be a team — i'm super interested.
What a GORGEOUS ring and beautiful proposal, Caitlin! Chris did great with the ring and planning! I loveee how he kept it simple and personal and included both of your families and y'alls friends. I've seen some way over the top proposals that don't feel real, but I could feel that this was a genuine moment between you both. It's not easy coordinating an event like this and getting that many people together so kudos to him1 I wish you both nothing, but happiness in this next chapter of your lives! xo
Sidenote, yes on wedding content please! Even though I'm nowhere near marriage yet, it'd be nice to file away some ideas! #Pinterest lol!
She Sweats Diamonds
Congrats, babe! You guys are the cutest! π
Shall We Sasa
Congratulations! And yes, 100% want to see all the wedding content π
Congratulations! This was so heartfelt and sweet that I found myself tearing up (and I'm old and married!). I wish you much love and happiness and of course would love to hear how you are getting ready for the big day!
This is so sweet! Congratulations to you and all the best of wishes to you both!
http://lartoffashion.com
Congrats! The ring is gorgeous, you guys are super cute π
Congratulations, such a sweet proposal! I would love to see some wedding posts!
Congratulations to you both! God bless! I would love to see wedding posts and your journey of planning!
Congrats!!!!!! I'm so happy for yall!!!! Of course we want to see wedding plans!!!!!
Wow, so impressed with all the advanced planning your fiancΓ© did!!! Looking forward to every little wedding detail, plz share. Also – what are the details on your Italy trip? It looks amazing!!
Wow, so impressed with all the advanced planning your fiancΓ© did!!! Looking forward to every little wedding detail, plz share. Also – what are the details on your Italy trip? It looks amazing!!
Please please PLEASE share your wedding planning on the blog!! Congratulations again!
This is the cutest thing! I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes, so happy for both of you.
And yes, I would love to see lots of wedding planning here!
xx Rapunzel
http://www.rapunzelthepsychologist.com
Congrats!
Liz @ ShoppingMyCloset.com
Congrats! Such a thoughtful, sweet proposal! I love that he ended the day with a surprise with all of your friends π
I would LOVE to see wedding content, considering I'm in the midst of wedding planning myself (only 5.5 months left)!
Congratulations!! Nothing could be better than following my favorite blogger through her wedding planning. So please, please, please to the wedding posts!
Congratulations!! Nothing could be better than following my favorite blogger through her wedding planning. So please, please, please to wedding posts!
Definitely post all the wedding planning content!
Congrats and what a sweet proposal story! Can't wait for some wedding content even though I'm far from getting engaged. I just find the process so fascinating. Enjoy your trip in Italy though and can't wait to see more.
Jackie | fashionxfairytale |
Congrats pretty lady!! Enjoy every minute of it because it flies by and is such a special time!
This was the sweetest thing I've ever heard! I loved that he had spreadsheets and diagrams lol! Congrats to both of you!
xo, Carey
https://thedaintydetails.wordpress.com
So sweet!! Pretty please share wedding content! I love your style and would love to see how you plan things for your own wedding! Such an inspiration! π ~Rebecca
YAS PLEASE POST ALL THE WEDDING STUFF!!! Congratulations, Caitlin!!!
So excited and happy for you and Chris! Congrats!
Congratulations! You look beautiful and I would love to see details of the wedding planning!
Lauren | Pretty as a Peony
This is so exciting!!! I have been a regular of your blogs for quite some time now. Your style is absolutely flawless and I find myself checking back everyday for a new post from you. I'm so happy for you and Chris and I wish you both the best in this next chapter of life. I would highly appreciate some wedding content, and I'm so stoked that it feels like I get to go on this journey with you. God bless!
PS: The ring is soooo GORGEOUS!!!
Congratulations! Wedding planning is the best π
http://www.cashmereandjeans.com
Congratulations!! He sounds like a keeper! And YES to seeing some wedding planning content! I say the more the better!! I will never get tired of wedding stuff!
RING DETAILS PLEASE it is so so gorgeous!!!!!!
Yes to wedding content! Even though I am already married, I still love to read about the choices people make for their big day. Chris did a fabulous job on your ring and it was so thoughtful and sweet of him to include your families! π
Congrats! I love his idea of having everyone celebrate after! That is how I have always wanted my proposal!
Briana
http://beyoutifulbrunette.blogspot.com/
Oh so adorable, congrats again!!! I LOVE that he made it where Winnie could be there too, so cute!
Congratulations! I really appreciate you being so open about the obstacles you guys have overcome together. I've been going through the same with my boyfriend of almost 6 years. We've spent the past year working on things and growing up some more. It's tough when you start dating in college and it does work out and you transition from college students to grad students to adults trying to have a clue what to do. Thank you for that π
Now was it totally coincidental that you wore white?! Because I think that adds an even more amazing part of your engagement story! Congratulations again! Can't wait to hear more about the planning!
Congrats…for the third time…lol! I definitely want to see wedding stuff on your blog. My boyfriend and I looked at rings a few months ago (my pick is almost identical to yours!) so I think that time will be coming soon!
So happy for you, congratulations! So excited to see all the beautiful wedding posts. π <3
My husband and I have been married for 32 years and even I would love to hear about your wedding plans! Congratulations.
love this post! so happy for you guys!!
Congrats! Love only deepens and gets richer with time. Would love to have Wedding Wednesday's with same fashion content as usua but also a weekly wedding update on planning and prepping. Have fun planning!!!
Ahh so excited for you, this post is so sweet! Congratulations to the both of you π I would love to see wedding posts!! Ps your ring is beautiful π
Lauren Lindmark | dailydoseofcharm.com
Congrats! What a sweet surprise!
http://thegirlswhobrunch.com
Congratulations!! And yes to the wedding planning blogging – you have such great taste so it'd be fun to follow along!
What is your favorite restaurant/bar that you mention?! I'd love to try it!
What is your favorite restaurant/bar that you mention?! I'd love to try it!
Wow, congratulations! That's amazing!
I hope you have a wonderful Thursday,
Michael
https://www.mileinmyglasses.co.uk
Congrats!! I laughed out loud when you said it was the best day because you got engaged and got to go to Nordstrom π
https://www.alexisdezayas.wordpress.com
YES!!!! PUH LEASE feature wedding content on here!! I cannot wait π
Oh my goodness congratulations! This is such a sweet engagement story! It's amazing he managed to surprise you at least a little bit. Can't wait to read bits and pieces of your wedding planning process!
I am literally in tears reading this. This is the sweetest story and I'm so happy for you!!! I can't even imagine how surprised/excited you were!!! God bless both of you!
xx,
Elle
http://www.styelled.com
Chris did an excellent job on choosing the ring and planning the engagement. Kudos to Chris! Congratulations and best wishes for a lifetime of happiness! Would love to hear about the wedding plans on your blog π
I would LOVE wedding content!!
Omg caitlin! What a sweet story! I started tearing up. I am SO happy for you guys! And your ring is gorgeous!!
Congratulations!! Can I ask what size you got in the dress?!
This is so sweet!! I love that he asked both of your parents and your brother π Congratulations and I'm so so happy for you and Chris! Wedding content would be amazing!!
xx Tess | Sequins are the New Black
CONGRATS AGAIN!! I am so happy for you!! I would love to see wedding details on your blog! Y'all are just the cutest couple and you will make a gorgeous bride!!
Xoxo
Juliana Grace | http://www.julianagraceblogspace.com
This is so sweet!! Congratulations, you deserve all the happiness <3
XO Janina
http://www.janinafran.com
Thank you for sharing your wonderful engagement story, Caitlin! I am so happy for you and Chris! I would love to see some wedding content as well (my fiance and I are just starting the process). So happy for you both! <3
Terra
Fifteen Minutes to Flawless
Congratulations. So excited and happy for you. And yes…..wedding stuff. Love it.
Congratulations Caitlin!! Wishing y'all love, laughter and happily ever after!
Brooke du jour
http://www.brookedujour.com
Loved this post, I couldn't wait to write mine when we got engaged! I'd love to see your wedding content!
xoxo – Vanessa
thecheekybeen.com
Yes please share wedding planning and pics and all the fun/ crazy parts! I love it all! Congratulations!! I love this awesome proposal story and the way you include God in all of this and everything!
Thanks for sharing all of it οΏ½οΏ½ οΏ½οΏ½οΏ½οΏ½οΏ½οΏ½
Congrats! <3
http://www.evdaily.blogspot.com
Congrats again to you both!! So happy for you Cait!! I followed your blog when you posted about having faith when looking for a job after graduating because I was in the same boat. That message inspired me. Now, I'm go and back and forth with complete trust but your message about trusting in God's plan is giving me hope again! I love how you share your faith! I definitely want to see wedding content!!! God bless π
Gorgeous ring, he did a great job! I LOVE this post so much… thank you for sharing your life and style with us. You guys are adorable together and you have an amazing future ahead of you. I have only followed your blog for about 6 months, but you've been a real inspiration to me. And YES, please share wedding content! Have a great weekend π
Congratulations!!! Beautiful story, and as I'm anticipating needing to do some wedding planning soon… I'd love to see what you do! π
I would love to see wedding posts. It sounds like a very sweet proposal story. Have fun in Italy! Jess at Just Jess
Congratulations! Your engagement sounded perfect, I would love to see the wedding content!!!
This is so exciting! Congrats again and thanks for sharing π Yes, would love to hear about the wedding planning process!
This is just the sweetest proposal! Congratulations! I am so happy for you both! I would love to see posts about the wedding planning process! May God bless both your engagement and marriage!
Ever since I saw your ring post on Insta last night, I have been dying to read this! Brought me to tears…so sweet!! What a special day and so sweet with all the planning Chris put into it. And love that you got to go to Nordstrom on that same day π SO very excited for y'all, sweet girl! So amazing to watch the Lord unfold his plan for you guys. P.S. Your ring is gorgeous!!! He did very well π
Such a sweet story and very romantic. I'm so happy for you two!!
xo, Alexis
https://cincinnatisass.com
So cute definitely wanna hear more about the wedding!!π»
Congratulations and many blessings upon you and Chris for your upcoming nuptials!!!
Congratulations and best wishes to you both! I love your engagement story!
Lauren,
http://www.atouchofsoutherngrace.com
Congratulations! Would love to read about all of your planning, showers and wedding!
Congratulations!!!! What a beautiful proposal. Bring on the wedding content!!! I love weddings!!!
many congratulations, looking forward to the wedding prep posts!
http://www.thestyletune.com
Congratulations!!!!! You guys look so cute together <3
Miss Lucia | Fashion & Lifestyle
Congrats to you both! And no one's relationship is ever perfect. If they say it is, they are lying. Marriage is never perfect either. But having the love and experience to get through the not so perfect times is what makes your relationship so much more special. <3
Would love to see wedding content! I'm having withdrawals of planning now that my wedding is over. π
Erin Schabo
Awwww such a sweet story!!!!!!! You will make such a gorgeous bride!
Erica Valentin
http://www.ericavalentin.com
Congratulations! Gorgeous ring. Have fun wedding planning, you'll be a stunning bride.
shoppingbrake.com
Congratulations, Caitlin! So excited for y'all!
xoxo,
Katie
chicincarolina.blogspot.com
This is absolutely exciting! Congratulations and all the best! <3
Sooooo exciting and wonderful! I love how he did it!! I love that he asked your brother, too. SO special.
xxoo
Mary
http://www.BelleOnTrend.com
I absolutely believe you have a great future with Chris – obviously he was raised right – asking your family for permission – that is so so sweet – you just don't hear of this very often anymore. I hope you both have a very long and happy life together. Thanks for sharing your story and Congratulations!