Guess who just got engaged?! What a great way to start off the year right?! My new fiance, Greg, did a surprise proposal on my birthday, January 14th, 2021. My first reaction: complete shock! I’m still in disbelief honestly. Granted, I knew it was coming at some point. We already went ring shopping and discussed roughly when we’d want to get engaged, but the fact that it actually happened is very different from just having conversations about it. I wanted to take a moment to share how we met, how Greg proposed, and how I reacted. The proposal video is coming soon, so make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it!

How We Met

It’s crazy to think that me and Greg could have easily never met. I’m from Little Rock, Arkansas, and he is from Pine Bluff, Arkansas (about an hour away from Little Rock). We met at a summer technology program during high school that took place at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Somehow, we kept in touch with each other over the years and became friends. We became even closer friends when I studied abroad in Spain during my junior year of college. I FaceTimed him all of the time because I missed Black people, Black men, and wanted the extra English-speaking company lol.

Fast forward some months, I returned to the states and we hung out from time to time whenever we were both in Little Rock. My college graduation came around May 2017, and he traveled all the way from Bartlesville, Oklahoma to San Antonio, Texas just to come to my graduation. We had our first kiss, first date, and his first time meeting a lot of my family all during my graduation weekend. The rest is history!

The Proposal

My 26th birthday was off to its usual start. Greg and I planned to go to a fancy dinner at a local restaurant, Petit & Keet, then just go back to my place because I needed to study. The food was amazing!

As we left, Greg mentioned he had a surprise for me, so we drove to a hotel after dinner instead. We walked into a meeting room, and I was surrounded by family, framed photos of us, and walking down a gold carpet! The set up was absolutely beautiful. He took us down “memory lane” starting with a photo of our first date and ending with blank photo frames representing all the memories he’s looking forward to us making and sharing in the near future. Then, he got down on one knee and popped the question. Of course, I said YES!

My Reaction

I was in complete shock, and honestly still am. My family could tell too. I had a mask on most of the proposal, but I guess body language never lies lol. I think I was in shock as well as nervous. I knew it was coming at some point, but I had no idea it was going to be on my birthday with our families. So when you see the video, you will likely notice my state of shock.

Also, I didn’t cry during the proposal. My family thought that was odd and wanted to make sure I was okay and happy after the proposal. I definitely am. I love Greg with all my heart. I’ve never had a close guy friend before him. Our relationship is my first real and lengthy relationship. He’s my first love and my first for a lot of things. I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else and I couldn’t imagine marrying anyone else!

So why no huge tears of joy? I think I was just in complete and total shock. My brain was processing everything. I’ve always wanted to get married, and Greg and I have talked about it a lot prior to the proposal. But when it actually happened, I was in shock. A happy shock, but shocked nonetheless. A part of me didn’t know exactly when he’d propose and a part of me was nervous if he even would. I never wanted to be the ‘forever girlfriend’ that a guy just kept in girlfriend status, so I’m glad that didn’t happen. We had been dating long distance for about 3.5 years, so another part of me was getting worried. Anxious. Thinking if he’d ever ask. Even frustrated at times thinking what is he waiting on? Honestly, I was ready at about year 3.

Also, saying ‘yes’ is a big decision and forever is a long time. A part of me was still thinking about it and making sure I was making the right decision for me.

So obviously, I had a lot of emotions and thoughts going through my head that day and that week leading up to the proposal. Hence, no big elaborate tears. And that’s okay. Do I love him any less than a joyful crier? Absolutely not. I honestly don’t cry tears of joy really ever. Not when I crossed Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (although my line sisters did). Not when I got accepted into medical school. I tend to only cry when I’m sad or depressed. Regardless, I love him so much and am so happy and excited to be his wife and spend forever together. He’s the right one for me.

Remember, no matter how you react to your proposal, there’s more than one way to respond and show happiness. And they’re all valid and okay.

So happy to be sharing more of my life with you all and taking you along for the engagement, wedding planning, and marriage journey with Greg and I.

Xoxo,
Margaret Nicole