I couldn’t resist with the title. If you haven’t seen the video and you’re in the mood for a good laugh, I’ve put a link to it at the bottom of this post.
The real reason we’re all gathered here today (ahem, is that how this goes?)…Pete and I got engaged last week! Everyone keeps asking me how I feel and all I can say is I feel happy – like I’m right where I need to be, ya know? The past 5 years together have brought much-needed contentment to my life and I am so insanely lucky to have someone who supports me the way he does.
Pete has always said he would have married me the day he met me if he could have. I’m really glad that didn’t happen because we met at a bar in college and we all know nothing good happens in bars while you’re in college.
In all seriousness though, I’ve always pushed off the idea of getting married on account of the fact that timing wasn’t right. It occurred to me this fall timing is never, ever going to be right and that old cliché saying “life is short” rings true.
I think true love is about the little things. Like finding someone who fixes your inside out socks before throwing them in the wash (why he takes them off like that is beyond me) or someone who is ready and willing to bring you a glass of ice water when you’re already tucked tightly into bed (because I always decide I’m thirsty after the fact). It’s those small gestures you don’t consciously think about, you simply do them because you care. That’s what love means to me, and there are no words to express how thankful I am to be able to experience it.
I’ve also been getting a whole lot of, “So, how did it happen?!” And then I tell people he got down on one knee in our kitchen last Thursday afternoon while we were listening to one of our favorite songs. Our apartment here in Kansas City is home to us and it made perfect sense it would happen there – a nod to the life the two of us have made here.
We don’t have any plans yet and I can’t promise you our nuptials will be conventional or in line with “tradition,” but I can promise we’re going to make sure everyone has a night they’ll never forget, because we believe those memories are what make this life so sweet.
If you’re curious about the ridiculousness that is the Instagram husband, watch this. My girlfriends can attest, photography isn’t exactly Pete’s forte and we have the group shots to prove it. 😉
Enjoy your New Year’s Eve and I’ll catch you in 2016!
YAY YAY YAY THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY JESS!
Wooo! Thanks girlfriend 🙂
My heart truly rejoices in the fact that you have found the one who knows your heart. The one who values you, cares for you, respects and loves you. I’m so proud of the woman you have grown up to be, in spite of your imperfect upbringing on my part, you figured it out. And, I do know how imperfect it was, you overcame a great deal to arrive here. You figured out what it took me years and years to. And, I’m so happy you and Pete found in each other your partner in life. A parent always wants better for their child than what they have had, or done or whatever, and in you I could not be happier, because you have it. I see you and the person you are and I beam to know you’re my daughter. Though I’m certain very little of it has to do with me, it makes me happy none the less to know you’re happy, healthy and wise beyond your years. And, that someone recognized that in you and that he cares for you like you care for him, that you truly love one another. It’s all I could hope for in life for you. Things will never bring happiness, it’s the people you have, the love that gives that, and I know you get it! The rest is just icing on the proverbial cake! I love you, Jess so very much!
Love you Mom. Hearing that you’re proud of me makes me so happy.
Congrats and Happy New Year!
Thank you, Lauren! Same to you 🙂
Awww!! Congratulations!! This is so exciting 🙂 This is only my first visit to your blog but I’m so happy for the both of you. What a great holiday season it is for you, and a great way to start off 2016!!!! Happy New Year 😀
XO,
amber
Thank you! I’m so glad you’re here 🙂 Definitely a great way to start the new year. Happy 2016!
Congratulations!!! I am so, so happy for you!!! We will have to have brunch soon to talk all about wedding and our future Instagram Hubbies! Happy New Year girl!
Xo Jana
http://www.janastyleblog.com
Thank you so much, Jana! Brunch is definitely a must 🙂 Hope 2016 is treating you well so far!
Congratulations, Jessica & Pete! I have only met you two once and i could see just how much you two love each other. I am glad that you have found true love and happy to hear that you’re planning the rest of your lives together! Y’all seem like a happy, fun & vibrant couple. Here’s to you guys! Congrats, again!! -Jennifer
Thank you so much! That’s really sweet of you to say and it made me smile. I hope the new year is off to a great start! 🙂
This makes me so very happy! And I love the video. Haha. I am so sure that’s Pete! I can always tell when I see your plates (I know who’s is who’s) 😂 Can’t wait for the festivities to begin. Love you both!
Hahahah I’m cracking up. I’m so lucky to have a friend like you, Meg! And yes, there will be plentyyyyy of celebrating. Love you 🙂
congrats. i’m really happy for you both.
We appreciate it, Juan!
Congratulations!
Thank you, Iris!
Awww Jess this is so cute! I couldn’t be happier for you guys!
🙂 Thank you, Meg! Life catch up soon!
Oh my gosh! CONGRATULATIONS!!! I’ve always thought proposals where it was just the two of you are so romantic. That’s how it happened for me and I wouldn’t have had it any other way! So happy for the two of you!
It was so special to me 🙂 Thank you! Hope 2016 is off to a great start for you!
Aaahhh!! I’m still extremely excited for you and Pete ❤️ I can’t wait to read more about your wedding/married adventures!
Thank you so much, Jess!
Congrats again! So happy for you. xo
Thanks again! I hope your new year is off to a fab start 🙂
I am so incredibly happy for you! CONGRATS GIRL! You two are the cutest 🙂
Thanks so much Rachel! Happy 2016 🙂
I LOL’d at the post title! Congrats to you – incredible news and you both look so deeply happy!
I couldn’t help myself 😉 I really appreciate you acknowledging that – thank you! I hope 2016 is off to a great start for you!
Omgsh. Jess, I LOVE the title of this post!! You absolutely nailed that one! I’m so happy for you and Pete!! You deserve all the happiness and I can’t wait to celebrate you two getting married!! 🙂 Hope your 2016 is off to a great start girl!
xo, Sarah
http://www.thekissingboothblog.com
Haha so glad people can share in my humor. Thanks so much girlfriend! It’s going to be one hell of a party…I promise you that 🙂 GET READY!
Congratulations Jess! I am so so happy for you both! What a perfect way to start 2016.
I appreciate it, Elana! Definitely not a bad way to start the new year 🙂
FINALLY! I’ve been waiting all week to hear the details! Congrats and so, so happy for you. Being engaged is so much fun and magical. And your mom is ADORABLE based on her comment above 🙂 You are clearly one very loved little lady. Cannot wait to see what happens!
Woo! Thank you so much, Nicole 🙂 We’re both really excited to plan a big party and get everyone together to celebrate. Any tips? Things you would have done differently? She really does love me and I’m glad that people can see that.
OMGAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! I’m like way late to the party, but HUGE CONGRATS to you both! So, so, so excited for you and this next fun chapter in your life! Yayyyyyyyyy!
Definitely not late…the party is still going! Seriously though, thank you. We can’t wait to celebrate with family and friends 😉
Oh my gosh CONGRATS!!!!!!! So happy and excited for you both!! Does this mean you’ll start a new little series on the blog… 🙂
amandakatherine.com
Thank you!! It just might….we shall see 😉
Congrats!! That is so exciting!! 🙂 And I loveeeed the title of the post! 🙂 xoxo.
Thank you so much, Cori! I just couldn’t help myself. The timing was too perfect 😉
So excited for you friend! Have to confess I saw your sister last week and she told me how it happened;) Very happy you’ve found your true love, I didn’t find mine until 34 so it pays to wait!! Can’t wait to see what the new year brings my friend. Cheers!
Haha awww, I’m glad she’s excited to tell people! Same to you, Noelani 🙂 Let’s get together soon for some green juice.
Hi Jess, congratulations to both of you! I guess this is gonna make your 2016 even more exciting! 🙂
Thank you! I think you’re right 😉 Happy 2016!
How exciting! Congratulations!
xo, Laura
http://brightandbeautifulblog.com
Thank you so much, Laura!
I can’t even put into words how incredibly happy I am for you my love! You deserve the world, and from what I’ve heard – you definitely picked a good one! Can’t wait to see how your plans unfold – I’ll be cheering for you big time from the sidelines! xx
You’re too sweet! I think I’ll keep him around 😉 So far I’ve googled “how to plan a wedding” and the results were overwhelming so I stopped haha. I hope our paths cross soon!
Congratulations!
ps, your mom’s post up there is so so so cute!
Thank you, Christine! I’ll have to tell her that – it will make her week!
Long delayed blog congratulations! Hope you are still enjoying being newly engaged 🙂
It’s been a whirlwind, but I love a reason to celebrate 😉 I need to text you about wedding planning, because I am borderline clueless lol
I’m late on this, but congratulations! I love how you described your love.
Thank you so much, Jennie! 🙂