The Fashionably Late Blonde: Engagement Story

Hi friends!!

I’m sorry I have been MIA for the last 2 weeks. If you follow me on Instagram you probably know why. If you don’t, I have some BIG news to share! About 2 weeks ago J completely surprised me and got down on one knee and we are officially engaged!!!! I could not be happier and today I thought I would share the full story with y’all! (Because who doesn’t love a good engagement story? I know this gal does.) So, let’s get to it shall we?

As most of you know I went to NYC a few weeks ago, and spent the first weekend in the Hamptons. J was out there working so, my bestie & I thought we would take full advantage of a Summer House moment. Fast forward to Wednesday, and I was back in the city; and J was heading home to Florida. (Or so I thought) He was texting me all day standard texts like "made it to the airport” & “just boarded my flight”. My best friend had also texted me around 11am that day and said “Change of plans tonight. I’m skipping my volleyball practice, and we are going to this rooftop in Brooklyn. My co-worker told me about it, and they do live music on Wednesdays! Dress cute and we’ll do a shoot for the blog then head there. I’m also getting off early so meet me at my office at 4:30.” I literally thought nothing of it, and just said, “Sounds good. See ya at 4:30.” I went about my day then went home to get ready and meet my friend. On the way to Brooklyn I was starving and really wanted Shake Shack. There’s a Shake Shack right there so, I kept begging my friend to go when we got off the train. He kept saying no which I thought was kind of weird, but finally he was like "Let’s just eat at the rooftop. My co-worker said the food is good." I agreed and dropped my Shake Shack crusade. (I think I skipped lunch that day.) When we got to Brooklyn we headed straight to the water and walking around the dock for a few. We decided the other side would be better for a shoot and made our way to the other side of the bridge by the carousal. There were a ton of prom kids taking photos so; we finally found a more secluded spot, so I could take blog pics without anyone in the background. We started shooting and maybe 5 minutes in, I saw a guy out of the corner of my eye that looked like J. I immediately did a double take and confirmed it was him. As soon as I knew it was him I looked at my best friend and said "What the $@*! is J doing here?!?" He just smiled at me and put down my DSLR camera and whipped out his phone. I started to walk towards J and lost it. Full on ugly cry with hyperventilating included. He walked me back toward the water got down on one knee and I could not even begin to tell you what he said other than I was his best friend and "Katie Helena Baird will you marry me?". I immediately said yes and the crying continued. Thankfully I was wearing sunglasses, so we were able to snap a few pics together before we toasted with a bottle of rosé, (J snagged a bottle right before he met us. Such a sweetheart!) and FaceTimed/called all our family & friends. J only told his parents, my dad and my best friend so it was really nice to tell my mom, brother and friends and have them be in total shock as well. It was a day I will never forget and I'm actually tearing up as I write this. (I can't watch the video without crying.)

I have dreamed of this day for so long, and it could not have been more perfect. New York is my favorite city in the entire world, and to have the skyline as the backdrop to my proposal was something I have always wished for. To say it was one of the most overwhelming feelings (in the best way) is an understatement. I think I was shaking for a solid 30 minutes after it happened. I was totally not expecting it which makes it that much sweeter.

As for the ring he proposed with his grandmother’s ring, which was absolutely beautiful. I did decide to get it reset and I have included a photo of both below.