ATTENTION TEXAS ROADHOUSE... Will You Marry Me?
Engagement stories are the best because they are typically unique and always very special to the ones involved. Aside from "How did you two meet?," "How did he propose?" is one of the most popular questions newly engaged couples hear. But who's complaining? It's a fun story to hear, and tell... and then re-tell again... because more than likely you and your fiancé will be sharing this lovely memory for years to come.
Engagements are cute, fun, and romantic. And they're even more fun to hear about when the story is accompanied with picture-proof, or in mine and Jonah's case, video proof (from every angle you could possibly think of - shoutout to all you Texas Roadhouse workers and our beloved family members).
So how did my now fiancé, Jonah, propose? Well let me tell you...
Let me start off by saying that it was a complete surprise to me! Seriously, I had no idea that whole day leading up to our engagement. Even the very seconds before Jonah proposed, I was still clueless. I first realized what was happening when I turned around to see my handsome man dressed in a fancy shirt (as opposed to his Texas Roadhouse t-shirt he was literally wearing 5 minutes before).
Both of our families met up at Texas Roadhouse where Jonah works to discuss our upcoming Europe trip. Mine and Jonah's sister had tricked me into to dressing up and painting my nails prior to our combined-family dinner (THANK YOU, BRIE & KERENA!).
Shortly after our cute server, Jonah, brought us our drinks, his manager and all of his coworkers came up to my table with the infamous Texas Roadhouse birthday saddle. You know. That leather saddle they bring out to have guests sit on as they wish them "a big Texas YEEHAW" for their birthday.
Anyways, I was told that "someone" said it was my birthday, and that I needed to get on the saddle. I tried telling them they were wrong, and it wasn't my birthday. But as my face turned red and everyone kept telling me to sit on it (including our family members), I reluctantly climbed onto that dreaded saddle. What else could I have done with the whole restaurant watching me?
You'd think by this point in time, I would have realized, or at least been suspicious about what was happening. But no. I was completely oblivious to what was about to come next. I even remember frantically searching for Jonah's laughing face among his coworkers because I was convinced he was pranking me. Which easily could have been true... he's a goofball like that. But of course, he was instead hiding from me.
I was sitting on the saddle facing my family when I felt "someone's" hands touch my waist which prompted me to turn around and come face to face with the love of my life all dressed up in his nicest outfit. It was at that exact moment that I finally caught on to what was happening.
And my heart immediately started pounding.
I was suddenly so nervous I could barely even get out my very shaky "hi" (which you can hear me say in the video).
It started with a big, "Ahhhhh-TTENTION TEXAS ROADHOUSE, I HAVE THE LOVE OF MY LIFE ON THE SADDLE TODAY AND I'VE GOT SOMETHING TO SAY!" And went into some awkwardness with me repositioning myself on the saddle while trying not to flash everyone in my dress to which you can hear my sister laughing loudly at... and rightfully so. It was pretty embarrassing.
Once I got situated, started shaking a little, and even teared up some (according to Jonah at least), he went into his heartfelt declaration of his love for me in front of everyone at Texas Roadhouse that Saturday night. Jonah made it absolutely impossible for me to say anything but "yes" when he got around to asking, "Will you marry me?"
Really he's had my heart from before he even wanted it. He was my high school crush who was way out of my league because he was a whole year older, and to high school Jessie, that was a big deal.
My choked-up "yes" prompted a massive round of applause and cheering from all of our family members and Jonah's coworkers. And what was the first thing my brand new fiancé did after proposing? Made a second announcement to the entire restaurant: "SHE SAID YES!" ...and then more cheering from the happy crowd. Don't you just love how excited everyone gets to witness a proposal? Me too!
Here's the video!
The lady sitting at the table next to us even started crying a little because she said it reminded her of how her husband proposed to her when they were younger. How sweet is that?
Jonah and I couldn't be happier to finally be engaged to be wed. We'd only been talking about this and marriage since day one of our dating relationship, but who's counting?
I love you with all my heart, Jonah John Corder!!!!!
Now please enjoy these pictures of Jonah and I being the best of friends and a little couple-y.
Here's one of mine and Jonah's first pictures together when we went to homecoming as "just friends" back in high school. (No, seriously! When a slow song came on, Jonah would suddenly get really thirsty and need to go get water at that exact moment. See? Just friends. But don't worry, he's made up for those silly memories since with lots and lots of dancing.)
Here's our actual first picture together... (I was still in junior high!) Cute, right? Just kidding, we are pretty awkward. Just the way I like us!
And both of our first trips to Europe were together when we went to Poland on a mission trip. Still just friends, if you can believe it! And as you can see, we've had a very difficult time taking a "normal" picture together as just friends.
Then, when we finally did start dating on March 15th, 2016, this was the first picture posted announcing our relationship status which made it Facebook official! The caption read: "'I'm head over boots for you' (yes we're officially dating) :)"
But the pictures didn't end there! Our friend, NeeCee, took some cute candids of us that following summer.
Jonah and I love taking day trips to Sedona!
Whether summer or winter, we always have so much fun! These were hands down my favorite dates.
Once we had been dating a full year, I felt it was necessary to make Jonah a sappy video to one of our favorite songs commemorating that time we spent together. I was also in Greece during this time so I had to get creative with my gift giving ideas. (Sorry in advance for the PDA!)
The beach is our happy place! We go any chance we get. We had our first kiss and fell in love by the ocean so it will always hold a special place in our hearts.
And we've made a pretty rockin' sandcastle on one, too.
When we're not on a beach, you can bet we're exploring somewhere new together - like Colorado! (Fun fact, we're standing on a frozen river in this picture.)
We also have so much fun exploring our state. Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are the coolest ever! Thanks again for these cute pictures, Kaylee.
Then we had our first official couple session this April with Shelby! It was so much fun, and Shelby captured a few of our most recent memories in photographs right before we got engaged.
And NOW we're engaged! We haven't had time to take too many pictures together as an engaged couple yet, but I had a whole photoshoot with my ring so close enough right? Just look how pretty it is!!! Jonah did an awesome job picking it out. Thank you, fiancé!
Want to capture your engagement story or love in keepsake photographs? Contact me, and let's start planning your lovey-dovey, romantic couple session!
