Many of you know the basic details of how we met- we worked together at an ad agency in New York City. Sherry was the copywriter on the account that I helped manage. We first crossed paths making this baby commercial (she wrote the script and I sold it through to the client) and the rest, as they say, is history (yes that’s Becki Newton who’s now on Ugly Betty). So here’s the play-by-play of our engagement (as told by the proposer and the proposee):
SHERRY: We love to reminisce about how we met and fell in love in NYC, but after dating a while it was clear that neither of us saw ourselves living in Manhattan for life. The hustle-and-bustle of the city paired with the increasing stress of our long-houred jobs started to cramp our style and cut into our quality time so we finally decided that we’d enjoyed the experience long enough (John was already itching to get out after two years and after over six years I was slowly coming to the same conclusion). So I approached John and said the words he later confessed he was dying to hear: let’s blow this pop stand. But where should we go…?
JOHN: When Sherry told me she was willing to leave Manhattan I suggested my warmer, calmer, and greener home state of Virginia, and when she excitedly agreed (in less than a second) it only reconfirmed that this was more than your average relationship (we settled on Richmond because my sister lived here, it still has an artsy/metropolitan edge, and there’s a good advertising presence here which gave us a fighting chance of landing jobs when we arrived). Making those decisions together: to quit our jobs, hunt for a new apartment in a new city and announce to our parents that we were moving in together basically forced us to evaluate whether or not we were in this for the long haul. It had only been about 6 months, but we were both certain that we were in it for keeps. I made the decision to propose to Sherry before we even left New York City. And we posed for a few bad-ass New Yorker pics in front of the skyline before we hightailed it outta town…
SHERRY: I was pretty sure that John was going to propose at some point, because we’d had very honest discussions about our future and where we saw things going but I had no idea when. I wasn’t in any rush either. I liked the excitement of knowing that it was coming (I probably wouldn’t have made the move without some confidence of this) so I reveled in the knowledge that it would probably happen when I least expected it.
JOHN: Based on some hints from Sherry and advice from her best friends, I actually snagged an engagement ring before leaving the city. But with so many things in flux (quitting my job before firmly securing a new one) it didn’t feel right asking Sherry to marry me until I was gainfully employed. So on February 25, 2006 we packed up and moved in Richmond, Virginia in a minivan as boyfriend and girlfriend (with that sparkly ring burning a hole in my pocket). Here’s Sherry with our coworker Heather (who was one of my ring “advisors”) at our going away party in NYC.
SHERRY: Our first few weeks in Richmond were exciting (I segued into being a freelance copywriter which allowed me to work from home while John hit the streets for a new gig in downtown Richmond) but there was a certain lingering question – and I was pretty sure John had the ring. As I assured certain pushy family members that John would soon propose to me (a few of them were all over me about moving in without being betrothed) many of them guessed that that it might happen on my birthday that was coming up on March 19th.
JOHN: I had no plans to propose to Sherry for her birthday. I was waiting to officially land a job (I’d interviewed for a bunch and was just waiting for the call…) and then I’d plan the perfect way to pop the question. Though I did have an idea of proposing to Sherry at the summit of one of my favorite hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I figured it’d be a quintessential “welcome to Virginia” proposal. After all, we had traded skyscrapers for mountains, right? So imagine my surprise when my cousin and little sister spontaneously invited us to join them to hike that very peak on the day before her birthday: March 18th (here they are hiking it below).
SHERRY: Our first few weeks in Richmond meant we were basically joined at the hip since I was working from home and John was waiting for a job offer to roll in, so I guess it left him very little alone time for conniving and proposal planning. But all that together time would change when, just a few days before my birthday weekend, John got news that he’d gotten a new job at a Richmond ad agency. Oh happy day! I was thrilled for him because he was obviously anxiously awaiting that call.
JOHN: With the new job in place, I could finally put my proposal plans in motion. I had the ring, the hike was scheduled and now I just had to ask Sherry’s parents’ permission. Not a simple task given that Sherry was by my side nearly 24/7 and her mom & stepdad were leaving on a cruise mere hours after I found out I landed my new job. But during a work call that Sherry was on, I managed to leave messages for both her mom and her dad. Her mom later returned the call (Sherry was in the car with me, so I couldn’t pick up) and left a voicemail expressing her approval and excitement. I also later got an e-mail from her dad that contained just one character – “!” – that I assumed meant good things. I later learned he didn’t say more out of fear that Sherry would see the message. The last thing on my list was to tell my own parents. I snuck in a phone call later that day and, just my luck, got the answering machine.
SHERRY: I had no idea John was sneaking in these pre-proposal phone calls, and I thought nothing of it when John got a random call from his dad that afternoon. It should’ve been a clue that John nervously exited the apartment to continue the conversation outside, but he covered it up well with a story that his dad was giving him advice about a car tire question we had been discussing earlier (when I peeked out the window he was bent over looking at the tire while on the phone). In fact I was so convinced by his sly little tie cover-up that as we laid in bed at night I kept asking if he thought the tires were ok. Which amuses John to no end, even to this day.
JOHN: I was pretty sure my tire-diversion worked, but I was mainly just pleased to hear my parents sharing in my excitement over my proposal plans for the following Saturday. They were thrilled to welcome Sherry into the family, so with that in place I just anxiously waited a couple of days for Saturday to roll around. When it did, I snuck the ring box into our camera bag and packed it into my backpack along with water, trail mix and other normal hiking supplies.
SHERRY: I was super excited about our hike, even though it was a little cold that morning. Joining us was John’s cousin Travis, his sister Carrie and her boyfriend. It seemed like a perfectly normal event, so I just concentrated on enjoying the hike which, if you’ve ever hiked it, is a bit challenging. It’s almost 6 miles, including lots of rock scrambling. I like to joke that John really made me work for my ring. You think I’m kidding about the rocks…
JOHN: I had already told our hiking companions about my plan: get to the mountaintop, eat lunch, then make yourselves scarce so I can do my thang. Well, they got those last two steps a bit confused and as soon as we got to the top everyone disappeared. I hadn’t mentally prepared myself, so there was an awkward moment where I had to chase after the others and whisper to to them that eating together was first on the agenda. I think Sherry noticed something weird about the exchange, but it didn’t blow my cover completely.
SHERRY: They all sort of chuckled out of earshot so I just thought I missed a joke or something. But I was super excited to reach the top of the mountain since I was totally exhausted from the climb. Being such a short girl there were parts where I actually had to be hoisted up some tall rocks by two people (one above and one below) since I’m not quite long-limbed enough to get ‘er done by myself. But after a bit of rest and food I was rarin’ to get back to hiking and excited that the rest of the trail would be downhill. It was also pretty chilly up on the top of the mountain, so I was looking forward to moving again. So I was a bit caught off guard by John’s insistence that we snap a bunch of pictures before leaving, but I played along (after all, the scenery was beautiful and after all that climbing it made sense to soak it up a bit). The two of us headed off to take a photo together (we love self-portrait photos where John’s extended hand acts as the tripod) but as we posed for our usual snapshot, the camera died. Ugh. But John reassured me we had more batteries in the bag.
JOHN: The camera dying was really me pushing the “off” button rather than the shutter. All part of my plan to have to go into the camera bag to get “new batteries.”
SHERRY: So while John went to get a new camera battery, I decided to keep myself warm by doing some goofy jumping jacks.
JOHN: I bent down to fish out the ring from the camera bag and spun back around on one knee, ring box propped open and simply asked “Sherry, will you marry me.” The jumping jacks came to a quick halt.
SHERRY: I was in complete and utter shock. All I remember was that I froze mid-jumping-jack and then ran over to John and jumped into his lap (he was still kneeling).
JOHN: With Sherry in my lap, I reminded her that she needed to say “Yes” to make it official. She did. We kissed. She cried. We ignored the random hikers that traipsed by a moment later. It was great.
SHERRY: After a few minutes of basking in the just-engaged glory (I still couldn’t believe it) we emerged from our secluded lookout point to be greeted by John’s sister and cousin who were both waiting with bated breath. I choked out the good news and lots of hugging, squeals and picture taking ensued (since the camera was in fact not out of battery). John’s cousin Travis even snapped this gem of a photo with us kissing in the background:
JOHN: The walk down the mountain was probably the best hike of our lives. We had forgotten about how cold it was and how tired our legs were. My sister Carrie even excited exclaimed to every passerby: “they just got engaged!” and strangers high-fived us and congratulated us as we passed by with permasmiles. And then one pair of hikers approached who looked vaguely familiar…
SHERRY: When we saw John’s parents walking up the trail towards us I couldn’t believe John had coordinated something so elaborate. Then I looked at him and realized he was just as surprised as I was. His parents, knowing the time and location of the proposal, surprised us both by showing up on the backside of the mountain and walking towards us. They cautiously asked “any news?” before congratulating us. I guess in our surprise I forgot to flash my ring.
JOHN: So we finished the hiking excursion with my beaming parents in tow. After getting back to our cars they treated us to a second lunch (all that walking made us hungry!) at a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant in nearby Sperryville. It was far from fancy – not exactly the storybook first post-engagement meal – but we loved it (in fact we still say “aww, remember that lunch in Sperryville?”). And I was just grateful that my parents suggested it because I realized my proposal plans didn’t really extend much past the actual popping of the question.
SHERRY: After lunch I was still totally stunned and smiling from ear to ear. I remember calling friends and family to share the big news (although I couldn’t tell my mom for a few days because she was still on her cruise). And a couple of days later we sent out an email announcement to everyone we knew – including all of our former coworkers who had no idea we were even dating (although it wasn’t technically against company policy, we kept our relationship under wraps because we didn’t want it affecting our work). Needless to say we got about thirty conference calls within minutes of hitting send with people screaming that they had no idea and claiming that we rocked their world. Which was a fitting reaction considering this was the email announcement that we sent out:
So that’s the tale of our mountaintop engagement. I’m sure many of you have equally exciting and complicated stories, so we’d love to hear some details about yours- where? how? did you know it was coming?
Cristina says
Hi Sherry and John,
I’m italian, I like to visit your blog a lot, but it’s the first time I write to you.
A lot of compliments for your relationship, for your blog, for your wonderful house and for your nice taste (in decorating, furnitute etc. etc..)! … wait! and for Burger too!! ;-)
You’re a very nice couple, reading about your proposal was really nice!
I was just surprised to know you have to ask her parents permission before to make the proposal to her… I’m curious, is it really like that even nowadays? Even here it worked like that but many many years ago..
Un saluto dall’Italia!
Cristina
p.s.= sorry for mistakes ;-)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Cristina,
Bongiorno! Your sweet note definitely brought a smile to our faces. To answer your question, some guys do still ask their girlfriends’ parents for permission over here. It’s definitely an “old fashioned” tradition, but I’d venture to guess that maybe 30% of guys still call or visit their soon-to-be-in-laws to ask for their blessing. Isn’t that cute? Hope it helps! Thanks so much for reading all the way across the globe!
xo,
s
Cate says
I was just getting all sappy reading everyone’s engagement stories. SO much thought!
and as a side note – i think it is definitely higher than 30% of guys ask the parents before proposing. Almost every one of my friends’ now fiances asked the dad first. I think it is a must – definitely a little old fashioned, but i like it :)
Michelle says
What a great story! (and announcement) I have been newly introduced to your site, and I just LOVE reading engagement stories. Something about a guy squirming with nerves and all that sweet planning.
My husband, a cop, gave me a pretty good story to tell. We’ve known each other since we were 10 and 13, so our families go way back and were a little nervous when we started dating that we’d “make things awkward”…thankfully that break-up never came! About 6 months after starting to date long distance we too moved in together, much to the dismay of some parents. Little did I know, he had bought the ring the day I started my new job in the new town. He kept it, hoping to ask my dad’s permission, but kept losing his opportunity. Finally, on a day I was REALLY down (I mean my shopping cart was even one of the messed up curving to one side ones that day), he just called my dad. Amazingly, he too was outside, making some excuse for the phone call. My parents were thrilled but had no idea when he’d do it. I guess finally having permission (normally he can’t keep gifts a secret so long), he couldn’t take it anymore.
It was about 10pm on Labor Day.
He snuck out back and had work call him in for a few hours. I was saddened by him leaving me since I was trying to enjoy some relaxed time with him before work got crazy for me. He didn’t seem too concerned. So, I went to bed mopey, with the dogs, only to be called about 10 minutes later. Apparently he forgot his badge and his flashlight and wanted me to bring them to the station for him, since he couldn’t leave some prisoner. Well it’s a smaller town, and he had asked me a few days before which way I went when I went to town. Didn’t strike me as odd at the time. I went about my usual way (thankfully not in a bathrobe or anything), and headlights turned on in the corner parking lot. Weird, I thought, since no one was around. I had come to a full and complete stop at the corner, then turned. The car started to pull out behind me. Odd. I thought “my luck today it would be a cop.” The lights turned on. Seriously? (Note: I have never had a ticket in my life. I might be married to a cop now, but it still makes my heart race to be pulled over.)
So there I sit, thinking, perfect ending to a terrible day. Then it hits me. My prankster of a boyfriend has GOT to be playing a joke on me. I was prepared to be mad. However, a cop I don’t know soon appeared at my door, asking where I was going (to the police station, conveniently), etc. He says I didn’t stop at the stop sign. Whatever! (Husband later tells me I did, in fact, stop.)
They let me sit there for a few minutes, and I was prepared to introduce myself to this coworker of my boyfriend’s, since I was new in town. However, when the officer returned and leaned down, he had a ring, it was my boyfriend, and he said “will you marry me?” In shock, I mumbled something like “I hate you!” for putting me through that. Then I got out and said yes.
threadbndr says
W and I were also co-workers! We were good friends before we started dating.
We were sitting on the front porch of his parent’s duplex the afternoon of the Fourth of July, lighting ‘lady finger’ firecrackers and tossing them into the yard. He turned to me and asked “can you see yourself doing this next year? How about 50 years from now?”
He didn’t have a ring, but he’d picked out several ruby and diamond rings for me to choose from. Ruby from the verse in Proverbs about a virtuous woman ‘worth more than rubies’.
Several years later, when our son was born, he gave me ruby and diamond earrings to match it.
threadbndr says
Re asking parents – I don’t know exactly when W talked to my parents, but I do know that he did, because my mom called me first thing the next morning. She seldom calls me – I always have to call her first.
My son talked to his wife’s parents when her family invited him for Thanksgiving. My son and DIL are both active duty Marines, and are stationed half a continent away from both side’s parents. So he had just met them that weekend; he describes it as ‘nerve racking’. Since he’s a combat vet, that is saying something LOL.
Tracy Suzanne says
I couldn’t quit smiling the whole way through, even in the end with tears trinkling out of my eyes.
Your post about your engagement and wedding were so captivating and romantic. You both make the most gorgeous couple. I think you wedding is one of the most beautiful, creative and unforgettable I’ve seen! Congratulations on a beautiful marriage, a happy relationship and a wedding created with style and grace.
Have a blessed weekend…Tracy
P.S. I started out on the house makeover and couldn’t stop. Your home transformation is superb!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, thanks so much Tracy! You’re too kind, and we’re so excited that from our home makeover to our wedding you’re excited to follow along with our journey. We love sharing it!
xo,
Sherry (& John)
Nicole says
Thank you so much for sharing your story, your knowledge, and your creativity with the world!
My husband proposed to me in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square Park on Presidents Day (the 18th) two years ago – the site of our first coffee date. I too knew the engagement was imminent but had no idea how he could have stolen away and asked my parents permission. He had in fact tricked me and told me he was going to the gym – when he was really with my dad at dinner (sneaky!). We were married a year later on February 12th (almost a year to the day) on a mountain in Breckenridge, Colorado. Small and simple – no frills, just the snow and our families.
We are now embarking on our new journey – our first home. Unlike you we are not handy – so we decided to purchase new construction, but we did have to sacrifice some of the luxuries (like tile flooring and a patio) since we were spending a bit more for something new. I stumbled upon your blog while searching for inspiration for my new home. I have spent the last 3 days reading and rereading your blog (I even posted about it on my work blog) and I am hoping that at the very least my home can be decorated as beautifully as yours.
Thank you again so much for sharing – you are truly an inspiration to this young & in love couple – on the verge of a new house!
xo
Nicole and Garri
Katie Savannah says
Your stories just made my day :) My mama showed me your website this morning and I thought to myself, “This is how my life sould go”… Y’all are just too dadgum cute together!And your DIY, creative home and wedding are just like my own… Well, own events anyway. We just had my 16th birthday and instead of some big, stuffy party, we had twinkle lights, homemade luminaries, hay bales, and a $12 party dress with my cowboy boots :)… Y’alls ideas are such inspiration for anyone who reads them, and I am very glad you chose to share your beautiful life with us! :)
Thanks,
Katie Savannah
Gracia says
Eric proposed on NYE and now I’m re-devouring all your wedding related posts! I love that you have such a fun story to tell!
YoungHouseLove says
Congrats Gracia! That’s awesome.
xo,
s
katie says
my guy proposed a year ago tomorrow! i just knew it was coming, that it would be that day. i told my roommate the night before, and her response was “just trust the boy!” turns out, she was in on the whole thing. =)
he wouldn’t tell me anything, except to be dressed to be outside (in winter, in Wisconsin). he picked me up after work and we went to dinner at the same place we’d started dating at. (he has no head the way i do for remembering those sorts of things, so i didn’t think it was intentional, but it turns out it was.) we then went ice skating on a frozen pond in a city park, which was fun. late after that (10-11ish), we went followed the pond to where it joined lake mendota, the big lake in madison, and just walked out onto the ice. we weren’t more than a hundred yards from shore, but it felt like the middle of the lake, with the dark night and the snow reflecting the far-off city lights, very surreal. he took off my mittens and dropped them in the snow and i got immensely irritated by that, but then he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him and i nearly knocked him sprawling onto the ice with a hug. =) then, on the walk back to the car and warmth, he pulled out a ring.
my roommate was in on it because she had been asked to retrieve appropriate socks and scarves for me in case i hadn’t brought them. she told my guy that i was suspicious, and just to mess with me he nearly put it all off for a while still. but we’re all glad he didn’t. =)
Dana says
Is this Old Rag?
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, none other. Love that place.
xo,
s
Katie says
Hey,
Just came across your blog yesterday and love the mix of doing up your house and the history of your relationship/wedding.
My story,
After 6 months(in Vanuatu in the South Pacific) of hardly talking to me and just watching from afar he confessed he was crazy about me,who would have known!!two weeks later I went home to Australia and him to New Caledonia with a commitment to email!
5 months later he was at my house with my family for a week before we both went to Vanuatu again.After dating for about a year my parents came to Vanuatu for my 21st.With me having no idea,he told my father of his intensions to marry me,my father responded with tears and a hug!!
I knew he had a ring but I had no idea of when it was going to happen.I had never met his parents so I thought he wouldn’t propose till after that!But he totally surprised me just after dusk in May 2008.On a beautiful tropical beach he got down on one knee!!
A few months later we parted ways again for 7 months.The hardest 7 months of my life!!But we made it through,had a beautiful wedding,parted ways again for 4 months and next month will celebrate our 1 year!!
Thanks for sharing so much!!It’s an inspiration all the way over here in New Caledonia!! :)
paintergal says
Aw, I got goosebumps reading this! What a great story.
We were engaged in March also, although, it was 28 years ago for us!
Asia says
I proposed to my fiance. I didn’t feel up to waiting around for it, so I asked him “Want to get married?” and he said yes. Our wedding is on May 2nd of this year and is just as simple as the proposal.
Keeley says
I love when you two share personal stories! This was so cute, especially with the pictures.
My husband and I met almost 12 years ago during our first week of college. We dated for nearly 7 years (including some long-distance dating while I was in grad school) and he proposed to me on September 12, 2004 at Penns Landing in Philadelphia on the Spirit of Philadelphia moonlight cruise.
It sounds romantic, but the cruise was a complete disaster. My husband planned a great evening with an elaborate dinner at a riverfront Italian restaurant, but he didn’t want to give me my ring on 9/11/04 because the memory of 9/11/01 was so fresh in people’s minds. Instead, he waited until after midnight and got down on one knee was we cruised up and down the Delaware River. Well, let’s just say that the late night passengers on the Spirit are, um… quite “spirited” and the whole experience was less than romantic. I cried, we laughed, then we toasted with cheap wine in plastic cups. I love my husband for setting up a romantic evening, then being able to laugh when it didn’t go as planned.
We were married 7 months later on March 6, 2005.
P.S. My hubby asked my family before he proposed. When I said “I’ve gotta call mom!” He said “She already knows.”
Hallie M. says
Hey guys! Great story! Being an avid outdoor couple ourselves, I thought that was just perfect. I am recently engaged and my fiance did a fabulous job of putting together a very romantic engagement. Its a long story but the gist of it is he created a painting/collage of our relationship (5 years) and got permission to hang it in one of our favorite local art galleries. Later that evening when were walking through all the galleries in the area we came upon that gallery and his painting. I was shocked to see my face on the gallery walls. While I was looking through all the photos he got down on one knee behind me. I turned around to find him on his knee with a ring in his hand asking me to marry him! There were also about 75 other ppl in the gallery staring at me as well. Whoa! I said Yes! and the rest is history. We are getting married this November!!
Thanks for sharing your story, so cute!
-Hallie
Shannah says
Love reading your story!!!! We have a crazy engagement story, too – met, got engaged, then went on our first date. I told a friend about it (we’ve been married nearly 11 years now) and she wrote a story about it for the Dallas Morning News. :)
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/lifetravel/stories/DN-nsf_trueromance_1108gd.ART.State.Edition1.4b95133.html
Michelle Kersey says
Long story short, I had NO IDEA!!!!
My husband, Jeff, was in the Military, stationed in Connecticut. I was in College in Kentucky. I had been hinting at engangment for about a year… we even went ring shopping MONTHS before he proposed so I could make sure he knew the “style” I liked. (more background, we had been together for 5 yrs before getting engaged. HS sweethearts and all) With my confidence in his ability to pick a ring… I was left with just waiting… and hinting. Which, got annoying for him and everytime I mentioned it, he said I just added another week before he’d propose. (only a joke)
One night, I had a dream that he came and surprised me at the house I was renting and proposed from outside the window. When I told him my dream, he (apparently) thought someone had spilled the beans. He had apparently bought a plane ticket the week before to come propose.
I was working the night it happened. I was supposed to get off at 11pm, but got off early b/c I had to be back at 7am. I called Jeff as soon as I left work to tell him. He said he was playing a video game (no surprise there) and I told him I’d call him when I was ready for bed. (Really, he had JUST gotten to my rental house which I was renting from his mom, so he had gotten keys from her and was SCRAMBLING to get everything ready because he thought he had more time.)
I get home, and pull into the garage. Nothing strange noted. However, I did notice our dog was barking, but that’s not so abnormal. Then, when I walked into the basement I thought “wow, that airfreshener I bought must really be working. The house smelled great!” I walked up the stairs and screamed! There was something in my face! It was flowers stuck in the banister! I then looked around (groceries in hands) and saw everything… the millions of candles the DOZENS of flowers (all my favs, white dasises and yellow roses.) I get to the top of the stairs, set down the groceries and Jeff is walking towards me with the ring. All I could say was “how are you here?” (Keep in mind, I thought he was in Connecticut playing a video game just an hour before) I have no idea what he said and it took his promting for me to say yes… it was a given, but I guess he still needed to hear it! (Oh, and then he told me not to look my bedroom, he had thrown all the wrappers and bags and everything not needed back there b/c he had no time… At least I gave him a warning call without knowing it!)
We’ll be married for 5 years this September, have 1 son, a daughter due in July… and 2 dogs and 2 cats.
(I tried to make that story as short as possible! Love yours by the way! Way to go John on the batteries and the tire cover up!!)
Andrea P says
Hey Sherry,
I was wondering if you could post more details about your engagement ring & wedding band? Also, what is your daily jewelry “uniform”? You have fab style!
Thank you :)
(& congrats on your beanette!!)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Andrea,
Let’s see, John got my engagement ring from the diamond district in NYC (it’s an entire metropolitan area dedicated to bling- it’s pretty crazy) and of course I’m in love with it. It’s so special to me. It’s a classic solitaire with four prongs and I love how timeless and pretty it is. As for my wedding band, I actually wanted something super thin because I love my engagement ring so much that I didn’t want to take away from it or have anything that filled up my whole finger to the knuckle, so we picked out the thinnest hairline band from Kay Jewelers with teeny tiny diamonds all the way around- just for some sparkle.
As for my daily jewelry uniform, I love wearing my rings (without anything on the other hand, except for a simple stainless men’s watch sometimes). Then I add big earrings. I’m not a bracelet or a necklace girl but I love a chandelier earring or a teardrop design – especially since I wear boring black shirts and jeans all the time. My earrings, bag and shoes keep things interesting. And thankfully my classic rings work with everything. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Katy says
I was proposed too on top of a mountain too and it was a very difficult hike. And we still joke about me having to work for it!
And since the hike requires the hiker to practically be in the tripod position to navigate the rocks, I couldn’t even wear my ring on the hike down…didn’t want to scratch it all up!
Andrea P says
Thanks for the jewelry details Sherry!
You should totally post a picture of your ring…it sounds amazingly timeless!
Any recommendations on the stainless steel men’s watch? I love the oversized watch look (like the Rolex ones)…but that’s not exactly in the budget!
Thank you & HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
YoungHouseLove says
My watch is actually a Kenneth Cole one that wasn’t too bad (maybe $75 but I’ve had it for at least half of a decade). Oh and as for a peek at my ring, check out this post: https://www.younghouselove.com/2009/07/wedding-week-ii-honeymoonin-where-the-sun-dont-set/
Hope it helps!
xo,
s
terri says
omg! what an awesome story!!! i cried. (yes, i am sappy like that!) you two are an adorable couple and i am so excited to find your blog!!!
Kathy says
Happy 3rd Anniversary…almost! I was searching for “how to paint furniture” information, came upon your site, and the real truth is that for the past hour, I’ve been sifting through all of your delightful stories. The one of your wedding (LOVED IT! Thanks for the e-vite!) and then the engagement history, had me with tissue in hand and a huge smile on my face! Honestly, I’m old enough to be your mother, and I weep with giggles and joy — what a fun read!!
Well, I just love your candidness, endless creativity, sense of humor, and obvious romance in your delightful relationship; better than any lighthearted DVD yet!
Congrats in every way, and again, thanks so much for the decorating tips and everything else you offer to the wider world.
All the best to you both always!
Kathy :-)
Megan A. says
I’m a new blog reader of yours and just love your site. But I’m working my way backwards through your archives and just found your proposal story – my husband did the same camera trick – except he pretended to be out of film – this was pre-digital camera days. :) The ring was hidden in a re-sealed film box and inside a film canister filled with rice – he manned the camera (that was NOT out of film) and snapped pictures as I got the “film” out and found the surprise. He planned for his family to be hiding in the bushes near our “random” picnic spot and then snapped pictures of it all as well. GREAT day !! Congrats on the website and family – love it all ! And Happy Anniversary !
-megan from san clemente, ca
Laura Coe says
I am becoming a crazy decorating blog fan. I somehow found Emily from Design Star’s blog (The Brass Petal), and now yours, and have also spent the last hour reading through it. My son is going to propose to his girlfriend during their Hawaii trip in a few days, so I sent him your story and comments for inspiration. I love what you did with your home! Thanks for sharing.
Laura says
Sherry,
What a fantastic story! You both seem like wonderful people and make a great couple! I love your blog! =D
Here’s my engagement story:
Growing up we had always had a crush on each other on and off. (We’ve known each other since we were 9) From day one of our dating relationship we both knew we wanted to be together forever so I always knew it was coming. We went out to dinner one night and he treated me to whatever I wanted, which was rare because we were both on a tight budget. I had some wine during dinner so I had my friend pick me up afterwards. (I’m really paranoid about drinking alcohol and driving even though I only had one glass.)
On the way home, I got a call from him saying his truck broke down and he needed us to go pick him up. We pull over to the side of the road where his truck had broken down, and he just so happened to be in front of the famous graffiti wall in our hometown (they designated this wall for graffiti so people would be less tempted to paint the town, literally) The wall was perfectly lit, which I found rather odd since it was already dark and there were not any street lights around.
I got out of the car and walked over to him and as I’m walking toward him I’m thinking, why is he kneeling on the side walk? Weird, maybe it was hot in his truck? (His ac wasn’t quite working at the time.) It took me a minute to realize what he was doing, then I looked at the wall behind him which was painted purple (my favorite color) and it read “Laura, will you marry me?” in large white letters. I freaked out, my best friend who had been driving, jumped out of the car and started shrieking. Then my little sister began snapping pictures from across the street like she was paparazzi! (Both of them were in on it of course) I didn’t even notice what the ring looked like until we got to my parents house to tell them the great news, it was gorgeous!
PS for the girl from Italy: My husband had previously asked my dad’s permission to marry me and even though I wasn’t there for that conversation, I’m pretty sure my dad was like “FINALLY!”
We’ve been married for over a year now and are looking forward to at least 80 more! Wish you both the same! ;)
Laura
Laura says
Anytime I told anyone my engagement story, people would say “Oh! You’re THAT Laura????!!!!” Many people had driven past the wall and it was still there even after a month! It was so much fun!
Heather says
Loved reading your engagement story! My boyfriend proposed the day before my birthday-just 4 days ago while we were on a weekend getaway in whistler, canada! Such an exciting time. We bought our rambler in 2006 and have been slowly updating it and your blog has been so inspirational. I wish we were able to pull off a backyard wedding, we too like to be frugal. If you know of any good wedding planning blogs, I’d love to find inspiration on the cheap. I’ve done a lil bit of googling so far.
T.Bride says
How great that John still made the actual proposal a surprise, even though you’d already talked about getting married someday. I hope you two are still having as much fun in your marriage as you seemed to be way back then.
Sherry, I never realized you and I had the same profession! Can you tell me a little more about being a freelance copywriter? How you set yourself up? I recently had a baby and have been exploring some work-from-home/freelance options to give me more time with my little one, but some advice on how to get started would be fantastic.
(My email address is trbride[at]live.com if you’d rather email than comment back).
Thanks,
-T.Bride
YoungHouseLove says
Hey T.Bride,
Since John and I had a few years of advertising at NYC agencies under our belts (I had worked at Lowe and J Walter Thompson), I collected a lot of NY contacts when I moved to VA, and thankfully they still wanted to farm out work to me from afar (which quickly taught me that I might be able to freelance from home instead of getting an agency job in VA). I also put my portfolio up on sites like creativehotlist.com and linkedin.com and attracted a fair amount of CA clients that way, which helped even things out (and filled in any gaps I had job-wise). It took about 3-5 months to get rolling (where I was making the same salary as I was in NY) but I definitely can’t complain about how it all seemed to work itself out! Hope it helps. And good luck to you!
xo,
s
Blake says
Awesome story – super cute! I especially like the “big rock” photos :-)
shereen says
Loved reading this about you guys I hadn’t read it before! We are heading to NYC over Labour Day weekend – any old spots you guys loved that you’d suggest?
As for our engagement, it took place during a backpacking trip through Brazil in 2008, and I had no idea at all it was coming. We both love to travel and planned this trip together, but each of us had a different portion to plan. My husband (Dave) was planning a portion that was to include a trek to this amazing island called Fernando de Noronha (google it!). I was pumped about this island because at this point in the trip would be our vacation within a vacation – beach, nice little guest house, and relaxing. So you can imagine how bummed I was when Dave told me there was no way we’d make it to Fernando – it’s hard to get there because it is a protected national park, and they only allow a certain number of people (i.e., flights) in per week. Dave told me they were all sold out and at capacity during the time we wanted to go. How could this be?! Little did I know he was planning a surprise within a surprise! So one night during our trip Dave revealed that first surprise – we were going to the island – I was so happy and STILL had no clue what was coming! Once on the island we headed to a secluded beach with a little picnic and our towels and enjoyed the quite and calm of that morning swimming and reading. While we were sitting on our towels drying off, amazed that not one person had walked by, Dave said “I think I am ready”. I thought he meant he was ready to swim again, so I said something like “let me finish this chapter”, and when he didn’t respond I put my book down and saw him on bended knee in front of me with a beautiful ring! I was shocked! My mouth was wide open the entire time…he proposed and I just looked at him and said nothing! I think he had to say “sooo???” and then finally I yelped out YES YES YES!!! and that was that! Then he filled me in on all the planning that took place beforehand, how he had asked my parents, where he got the ring, what it was made of (it’s made out of different parts of a palm tree – found it on Etsy, and didn’t want to travel around Brazil with a diamond in his pocket). It was pretty amazing! I think I’ll have permasmile here at my desk for the rest of the day! Thanks for sharing and encouraging us to share as well – it’s great to relive those crazy happy moments in life!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw such a sweet story! As for NYC, so much has changed in the 5+ years since we lived there, but we always loved walking through Soho on Broadway (lots of good shopping) and going to the Central Park Zoo and eating Dim Sum or sushi! Little Italy is always fun too (and Chinatown). Good luck!
xo,
s
Adrienne says
I stumbled across this when you linked it to another page, and it seems that it’s been awhile since this page has had traffic, but I wanted to share our story! Hubband (this is his post-marriage nickname, you’ll have to ignore the cheesyness, we’re sorta just dorky like that) and I had been friends for years, when something just clicked along the way. So we’d been doing the whole happy dating thing for about 6-8 months or so, and, well, we just knew were ready for more. So, we’d had the conversations and I knew that somewhere down the road, he would be proposing, but I had no clue when. He had been throwing all sorts of wrong hints into the mixture for weeks, so, I’d just given up guessing or trying to imagine when a proposal would happen, when it did.
It was a work day for me, but hubband had sweetly and slyly gotten the day off for me, a fun, but not totally unusual surprise, since he’s kind just a romantic guy like that. My surprise day off began with him coming over to make me breakfast before we headed out for the day. I was all ready for a fun day off alone with my guy, at our favorite spot nearby, Tempe Town Marketplace (http://tempemarketplace.com/). Arrival at Tempe Marketplace began with, “Okay, now don’t be mad” (always a reassuring statement. However, when the potentially bothersome situation turned out to be a surprise movie date with an old friend whom I hadn’t seen in awhile (sans hubband), I was just actually really happy. We saw a flick, enjoying the time to catch up, and were escaping the theater when suddenly my friend broke into- I kid you not- a run, dragging me along and in between patrons enjoying the afternoon (we probably looked quite silly). Rather than ask questions, I just rolled with it, and ran along, until we we finally halted.
The first thing I noticed was my family. And my friends, and well, pretty much everyone that meant anything to me. I was immediately directed (I say directed, but I was really dragged, as I was in a complete stupor)to a chair near the front of the crowd, and that’s when I noticed him. Hubband was standing atop a stage, grinning, with his guitar, ready to go. And so he did, he sang a lovely ballad about love and us and happy things, while I gaped and laughed, amazed at the whole thing. After the song, he hopped off the stage and climbed down to one knee at the foot of my chair, and there was a beautiful speech I don’t remember (again the stupor), and he popped the question. I do remember this, I said yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! Before he even finished asking, I was saying yes, I will! Then there was some kissing, some hugging, some leaping into arms, and the rest is history-well- ourstory!
The highlights?
It was super public, which we love, being the hams that we are, but also, everyone around was clapping and woo-hooing and congratulating
Friends and family were all there- and we got tons of pictures and footage thanks to that
The location was a major date-spot and now our home is in Tempe, an urban, artsy, college-town that we love!
So, thanks for sharing your adorable story, and granting me the opportunity to share ours!! :)
Ivo says
I am a silent follower of your blog (found it when I was searching for the DIY wedding) and I think your blog is amazing!
And I can’t believe I missed this post about your engagement and just read it today :) Anyways, I love the story and I can see how right you two are for each other..
Mine wasn’t at all romantic, lol! So we both lived in Japan and my fiancee just got the news that his company was transferring him back to the US. We sat at our favorite restaurant, and he gave me the news, and while I was still digesting the fact that he was leaving (and fighting back the tears), he popped the question: I think we should get married, what do you think? lol. Well, honestly we both knew that it was coming as we both talked about it but he always told me that when he proposed, I wouldn’t see it coming. And he’s right!
Anyways, everything was a blur after that, he moved back to the US, I didn’t know how to tell my parents in Indonesia (that’s where I’m originally from) that their daughter’s marrying a non-Indonesian, and there’s my nice job in Japan (which I like so much, not to mention a big research project that I’m in the middle of), so even though I said yes, we (OK, I,) kept postponing the decision about the date.
Then the big earthquake and the tsunami happened (yes, I live in Northern Japan, wasn’t directly affected by the tsunami but I was pretty much right in the middle of the disaster) and it changed everything! (and yes, it took that big of a disaster for me to re-evaluate what is important in my life, lol). So here we are, exciting about the big day and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him, wherever that might be!
Bethany says
Long time reader here, popped by to enjoy the magic of your Diy wedding post (for the umpteenth time) and was led to this post. I’ve never read it until now, but I read the post about how you met, followed by this one… and I kid you not, I have been sitting here bawling. We are watching Jeopardy as I read blogs and here I am reading your love story with Alex Trebek in the background and me sniffling as if I was on that mountain top waiting to hear the good news. hahah Love it!
Just had to share! Speaking of which, thanks for all of YOUR sharing! Love it, love the blog. Sniff sniff, tissue please.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw Bethany, you’re so sweet! Gotta love some Alex Trebek in the background to make things even more romantic. Haha.
xo,
s
Megan says
Beautiful story! My husband proposed on top of the C.N. Tower in Toronto, Ontario. It is the tallest building in Canada and I am afraid of heights! I laughed reading this story because I forgot to actually say “yes” as well. My husband (then boyfriend) had to prompt me to do so!
Danielle says
I came across your guys’ blog and i’ve been reading and looking through it alot, i’ve got to say, you guys are so cute and adorable. You inspire me with your love and creativeness!
Thank you for that
YoungHouseLove says
Aw shucks, thanks! So glad you found us!
xo,
s
Jenny says
I know I’m a bit behind the times commenting on this… but it’s such a cute story!! I’ve slowly been working my way through the archives for fun. Love your blog, so much good stuff on here.
My husband Matt did something pretty special when he proposed. We had gone out to dinner capped with a photo booth session. He brought me home and plopped me down on the sofa and told me he had added some photos to the photo album I had given him for our first Christmas together a few weeks prior. I’m a book designer (I actually contacted people at Artisan to design your book when I heard about it! But alas I heard Susan snatched it up right away. :) and I had spent a lot of time on this all black and white album, with a designed title page transferred onto the paper and scans from my journals from when we met at RISD. I lefts lots of blank pages, so we could fill it together. So back to the story, he sat me down and told me he had added photographs, but that I should start at the beginning to feel the flow of it. I had a feeling something was going on, because he was sitting on the floor in front of me in a way he definitely normally wouldn’t. So I took my time, and really witnessed the story of us in pictures. And as I turned the last page I knew I had done (a different photo booth strip) I found a spread of photos from the holidays of us together and with friends. Then, I turned the page and saw a photograph of Matt, from my exact perspective at that very moment, wearing the same exact outfit he was wearing before me, holding an open box with a ring in it. He pulled the ring from under the sofa and told me I’m his best friend, and that he wants to spend the rest of his life with me, and would I marry him and I said yes and yes again. I especially love that the moment I knew he was proposing to me will forever be a part of our photo album. xox
Jenny says
And ps. Matt asked my parents permission, too! With most of our married friends the dude did the same.
YoungHouseLove says
That is so cute! And it’s so sweet that you contacted Artisan about designing our book! Susan is awesome but we would have loved to work with you too!
xo
s
Jenny says
Aw, thanks. You are in excellent hands! Book #2? Haha ;) xox
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, ya never know!
xo,
s
Erin says
Such a great story. I orginally found your blog searching for outdoor/backyard wedding ideas (we also had similar colors) and am now finally reading your engagement story. We also got engaged on a hike!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, congrats Erin!
xo,
s
bree says
Oh my god you guys are SO cute !!
p.s I am a decorator so I may just be stealing some ideas from this blog cause you guys are so clever!!
Alexis says
Reading some old posts. My husband and I have a similar hike/engasgement story from a Virginia mountaintop!
YoungHouseLove says
No way! I love it!
xo,
s
Shannon says
I had to laugh because as soon as I read that your engagement happened during a hike, I reminisced about my own engagement, which also happened during a hike up our favorite mountain. Then, when I saw your first photo from the hike, I couldn’t believe it!! My husband Dan proposed to me ON THE SAME MOUNTAIN! We’ve dubbed Dan’s proposal site “Proposal Rock” and hiking Old Rag Mountain is still one of our very favorite pasttimes! So, that’s awesome…I can totally relate to your story!! Glad to hear that Old Rag is as meaningful to you guys as it is to us!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahaha- no way! I love it!
xo,
s
Courtney Madden says
What a wonderful story! This is very late to the original post, but I had a fitting proposal story for your blog!
I had just graduated college in December 2010 and started a job. I decided to purchase a house with my boyfriend Chris. We were supposed to move in Feb. 5, 2011, but then the closing date got pushed back and back and then finally the house fell through (turns out they weren’t legally allowed to sell it!). I was devastated, but we got back on the market and found another house and finally closed April 18, 2011.
Chris was still in college, so he was supposed to be in class the first day in our new house, but said he wanted to paint and so he skipped class. I was at work all day and when I got home, he told me he finished painting the office, but tried to get me to eat dinner first. No way! I wanted to see the first painted room in our new house! He finally agreed and I opened the door to find the room covered in rose petals, pictures of us together, mementos from our relationship, and Chris on one knee!
It was perfect.
YoungHouseLove says
Love reading all of your stories everyone! Thanks for sharing!
xo,
s
Brooks_25Years says
I’ve always loved your engagement story…now I love mine :)
http://mynext25years.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-journey.html
YoungHouseLove says
I love all the stories everyone! Thanks for sharing!
xo,
s
Lindsay says
Love all these stories!
My boyfriend and I went on a backpacking trip to China when he proposed. I had no idea- we had talked of marriage before but nothing serious. We were in Beijing shopping mall when he asked how I feel about a promise ring. Of course I said yes and we found a jade ring that seemed perfect for us. I thought that’s all it would be because my fiancee moves slowly. (we’ve known each other 9 years, been dating for 1 and 1/2.) But I was perfectly happy with a promise ring. 5 cities later, we were in the most beautiful city, Guilin, where the mountains are famous. We went to a beautiful park and climbed to the highest peak in the city. (did i mention I hate hiking?) he had taken my promise ring from me at the bottom and I didn’t think anything of it as he also took his watch off. (some people were watching us) Anyways, we were at the top and I asked if we wanted to go down yet but he begged for a few more minutes. Suddenly he took a deep breath and asked if he could take a picture. But he set it to video and got down on one knee! Me with my personality just said, “um…hi?” he asked me and I said yes, asking myself if it was really happening or if it was a joke. Then he turned the camera off and called me his fiancee and I Balled! found out afterwards that he had asked my dad permission days before we left! It was beautiful and now for ever I can say I got engaged and turned 23 in China!
Allison Quintanilla says
My engagement story is pretty simple. While Kris and I had only been dating for a month when he proposed, we had previously dated my freshman year of high school and he had asked me out in his basement at his 16th birthday party. Unfortunately, I knew what day it was coming. I was working two jobs at the time and Kris had to tell my managers to give me the day off. Well, one manager left a note that said Allison needs June 17th off right next to the register, so I knew the day. However, I wasn’t quite sure how it was going to happen. Kris picked me up and said we were going out to dinner but he needed to stop by and get my name tag I had left at his house and his ipod. I was waiting in the basement and he turned around (very similar to your pretending to get something out of the backpack story) and said “5 years ago, this is where the magic began, but who said the magic had to end there?” and proposed :)
sheng says
i am crying right now…at the same time smiling. :)
Cynthia says
Hi John and Sherry (and Clara and Burger!)
So it’s June of 2013, Clara is 3, and you just moved into your 3rd house. So I guess you could say I’m ‘a little late on the pick-up”. I’ve been following you blog for years, and it’s so odd how attached I’ve grown to your 2nd house! That wall that you guys opened up–maybe that was the clincher… So anyway I was doing a house tour review and then ended up here.
…and in tears. Thanks A Lot, guys! Such a great proposal story! My proposal story is so less detailed, and there are no pictures. I don’t even know what date it was on! We woke up in the morning, June (I think!) of 2010, at home. First thing Joseph said: “How about July 15th of 2011?”. Me: “For what?”. Joseph: “To get married”. Me: [Pause.]. “Is that a Saturday?”
And so there was no ring, no plans, no “Yes!”, and of course, no pictures. But it’s ours. :-). It just doesn’t get me all misty-eyed, and yours most definitely did. Congratulations on your beautiful, happy, obviously fulfilling life together.
YoungHouseLove says
So sweet! I love hearing all of your stories guys! Thanks for sharing.
xo
s
Salma says
Oh wow!
We have the same birthday! Another good reason to love you guys!
YoungHouseLove says
So funny! Birthday twins!
xo
s
Kristen Duke says
I’ve been typing out our love story chapter by chapter. It’s a long and crazy one! I love reading love stories, details and all! How fun that you met working together and your c0-workers didn’t even know you were dating when you got engaged! I met you briefly at Haven last year (I was the photography speaker). Just wanted to say I stopped by! Here is My love story, still with a few chapters to go: http://www.kristendukephotography.com/my-love-story-one-chapter-at-a-time/