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December 9, 2016

Our Engagement Story

California, Engagement, Life, Travel

It’s one of those moments I’ve dreamed of my whole life. What will he say? How will I feel? Who else will be there? What will the ring look like?… For the past 32 years I’ve imagined this day and I can honestly say it surpassed all of my wildest dreams…

♥ 12.1.16 ♥

Terry & I decided to celebrate our 2-year anniversary, my birthday & the holidays with a trip to California. We’d fly info Los Angeles, drive up the PCH to San Francisco and stop along in Santa Barbara, Carmel & Sonoma. Ever since I met him, he’s boasted about his love for Santa Barbara (specifically the scenery & the surf) so I was particularly excited to visit this coastal town.

We arrived at the Four Seasons in Santa Barbara on Thursday afternoon and I was immediately blown away by not only the superior service (truly the best) but also the insanely gorgeous property. Picture a lush jungle with endless paths, secret gardens, tranquil coves, and Spanish-style steps & terraces leading to private bungalows. Then picture the entire place merely steps away from a stunning, private beach. Yup, it’s basically heaven.

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The beach where the proposal happened!

When Terry told me that he’d arranged for the concierge to take some sunset pictures on our camera, I grew a bit suspicious. But he insisted, “Babe, it’s the Four Seasons. They do stuff like this all the time.” After all, who was I to question this amazing experience being offered to us?!

 So around 4:30pm, we threw on some cute clothes (thank goodness he told me we were headed straight to dinner after, so I styled my hair!) and headed down to the beach. Ironically, there was a professional photographer on the beach taking sunset pics of two other hotel guests, so I immediately thought, “huh, I guess they really do this for people”. Oblivious to the weeks of preparedness that was unfolding before my eyes, I smiled for the camera as we took picture after picture as the sun went down. Terry went to to check the photos & mentioned that our faces were dark because of the shadows, so we better try one more picture. And then this happened…

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Due to extreme surprise/excitement/joy/shock/laughing/crying, it’s fair to say I completely blacked out. We both did. We each remember various bits & pieces of what he said…and to us, that’s just perfect.

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How lucky am I? Not only did Terry spend weeks planning the most thoughtful, beautiful, romantic proposal, but we have this incredible moment in time captured on camera. A moment I will never, ever forget.

Words can’t describe how I’m feeling right now. I feel so beyond blessed to have even met someone like Terry. Someone who truly appreciates my good and tolerates my not-so-good. Someone who makes me laugh when I’m crying & then makes me cry all over again from laughing so hard. Someone who I love so much that it hurts. Someone who wants to build a life with me and grow old together. He is my best friend and the absolute love of my life. I know the best is yet to come, and I cannot wait for this adventure to begin!

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Oh and to answer my lifelong questions: Can’t remember…overjoyed…just us…and, it’s absolutely perfect!

Four Seasons beach photo courtesy of their website. Thank you for the unforgettable experience, photos & countless flutes of champagne 🙂

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14 Comments

  1. ahealthyslice says

    December 9, 2016 at 11:23 am

    This is just so beautifully written! I love how you captured the moment and that you have photos of this perfect moment to have forever. I’m so happy for y’all and can’t wait to start PLANNING!!

    Reply
    • Alexis says

      December 9, 2016 at 6:04 pm

      Aww thank you!! Im still on cloud 9 but I promise to start planning soon!!!! xoxo

      Reply
      • Lindsey says

        December 10, 2016 at 3:09 am

        Okay, this may sound creepy, but here goes. I have followed @ahealthyslice blog for quite some time as an anonymous blog reader. I just read her post about you and was checking out your blog and wanted to let you know I’m from Georgia (Go Dawgs! SSI is home!) and I moved to Boston 4 years ago after dating my husband long distance. We live on the South Shore with an 18 month old. If you’re ever interested in talking “Southern”, let me know! I work from home but call on accounts in the city weekly. Would love to have a coffee date with another transplant 🙂

        Reply
        • Alexis says

          December 11, 2016 at 11:18 pm

          Not creepy at all! Britt was my college roomie! What a small world! We should totally grab coffee sometime when you’re in the city! Are you here every week?!

          Reply
  2. Rebecca says

    December 9, 2016 at 3:43 pm

    Ahh agree with Brittany!! Just LOVE this!! What a wonderful story and perfectly captured in photos! So so happy for you guys! Congrats!!

    Reply
    • Alexis says

      December 9, 2016 at 6:04 pm

      Thanks buddy! It was so special!!! Hope to see you soon xo

      Reply
  3. Ashley says

    December 9, 2016 at 6:00 pm

    Congrats lady!! How special to have those pictures. You will be the prettiest bride! 🙂

    Reply
    • Alexis says

      December 9, 2016 at 6:05 pm

      Thanks Ashley! Your wedding was stunning, so I’ll have to get some inspiration for my own!! xo

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Best of 2016 & Plans for 2017 – SouthEndStyle says:
    December 30, 2016 at 2:22 pm

    […] Our Engagement Story stole the show by thousands of views…what can I say? It’s my favorite also! […]

    Reply
  2. My New Year Resolutions 2017 – SouthEndStyle says:
    January 2, 2017 at 1:31 pm

    […] Amsterdam, ate crepes in Paris, went white water rafting in Interlaken & Jackson Hole, and got engaged during a California Road trip in Santa Barbara. I learned about other cultures, ate local cuisine, […]

    Reply
  3. SouthEndStyle says:
    July 10, 2017 at 9:07 am

    […] ago when we got engaged and my how the time has flown by. Many of you already read the details of how the engagement happened, but as we all know, there’s so much more to every love story! You see, there’s this […]

    Reply
  4. Travel Guides: Santa Monica + Malibu + Santa Barbara – SouthEndStyle says:
    August 23, 2017 at 3:13 am

    […] Barbara which is hands down one of the most beautiful properties I have ever seen. This is where we got engaged and where I never, ever wanted to leave. Aside from the fact that it was the best day of my life, […]

    Reply
  5. Our Wedding, Part 2: Our Vision – SouthEndStyle says:
    September 19, 2017 at 12:03 pm

    […] I’m sharing our wedding vision. We got engaged in December 2016 but didn’t actually pick a wedding venue until February 2017. Why, you might […]

    Reply
  6. The Top 10 Hotels I’ve Ever Stayed In - South End Style says:
    March 18, 2020 at 6:08 am

    […] Four Seasons, Montecito (California): I love to visit Four Seasons properties because each is unique to that location. The Montecito one is lush and tropical feeling with flares of Spanish tile and California architecture everywhere. They also have the famous Butterfly Beach as their own private beach, adding further to this oasis of a property. […]

    Reply

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Hi! My name is Alexis and I am the author of South End Style. I first started this blog as a way to document my move to Boston but it has evolved over the years to truly encompasses my two passions – interior design and travel! The people I’ve met, the places I’ve traveled and the spaces I’ve designed are all a result of this blog and its followers. So I want thank you for stopping by and spending your time here. I hope you leave inspired!

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