So I have a little (big) news for you!

/ Meg

Spencer and Megan get engaged
{Photos by E. Guy Stephens Photography}


Spencer and I met on a windy March day in 2010. We’d arranged to have coffee at a local cafe on a Sunday — a date I figured could go well (and lead to dinner), or poorly (and wrap up after just one drink).

I’d joined an online dating site two months before and had a few nice dates, but they’d all just been . . . well, um, nice. Though there was nothing wrong with any of them, I didn’t feel that spark. That connection. That camaraderie and mutual interest and excitement. No butterflies, if you’ll pardon the cliche — just a couple of nice excursions with nice men that ended with a shrug of the shoulders.

But then.

Spence walked in wearing a red T-shirt and green shorts — a wardrobe choice I’d come to understand is totally standard for my adorable, endearing scientist. After exchanging a few emails about photography, we set up our date for that weekend — and then I waited. On his dating profile were a variety of photos — some with long hair; some with short; one with a beard, and one without. After trading phone numbers, I sent him my first text message: “So should I expect you clean shaven, or with a beard?”

“Clean shaven,” he replied, joking, “I clean up pretty nice.”

He was right.

Our bond was immediate. We talked for hours that first day, leading from coffee to dinner at a nearby Mexican restaurant. Our common interests filled every crevice of conversation. Though he grew up in Western New York and I’m a Maryland girl, we come from similar backgrounds and share many philosophies. We parted on March 21 with a hug and a promise to get in touch. He texted me before I’d even gotten home.

And I already knew.

It seems silly to say that, I’m sure — and I don’t know that I’ve ever believed in love at first sight. But from the first afternoon Spence walked into that cafe, pushing his curls out of his eyes and turning a mega-watt smile in my direction, I’ve been his and he’s been mine. After doing my share of dating, I felt confident I’d know when I found a good thing — a real thing. I never doubted our connection, never questioned our relationship. From the first “I love you” to today, right now, I’ve never wanted to be anywhere but at his side.

On Sunday, Spence and I drove into downtown Washington, D.C., to see the holiday display at the U.S. Botanic Garden. We had a date there in 2010, our first Christmas together, and have talked often about how much we like the greenhouse. It’s my favorite place in Washington: easy to find and explore; packed with gorgeous flowers and other greenery; a prime photo spot.

And on the very same bench where we’d taken this picture almost two years ago to the day, Spencer asked me to marry him.


Spencer and Megan get engaged


As I’m sure you’ve gathered, I said yes!!!!

We’re both so, so excited — and it almost doesn’t feel real! Spence asked our friend and talented photographer Guy Stephens to meet us downtown to capture the moment and immediately after, making our first engagement shoot just a few minutes after he got down on one knee. Guy and his family were wonderful and the photos are priceless — especially because I was in such shock at the time, I don’t even remember Spencer putting the ring on my finger! We walked from the Botanic Garden to the Capitol, where we took photos by the Christmas tree and generally soaked up our first moments as a newly-engaged couple.

I’ve already gotten to call him my fiancé a few times, and it’s exciting and scary and awesome all at once. I mean, I’ll never have a “boyfriend” again.

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Thrilled. We are thrilled! I can’t stop smiling and had to come here and tell you all at once. After all the family and friend phone calls/texts were made, of course — and after I had a day to let the news marinate! But after that? Here. I’m all here. You know I wouldn’t leave you hanging after all we’ve been through together.

And I can’t wait to see what the future brings — as Mr. and Mrs. Johnson.

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Spencer and Megan get engaged

Spencer and Megan get engaged


73 thoughts on “So I have a little (big) news for you!”

  6. AHHHHHHH!!!! OMG!!! I’m so excited for you guys! Congratulations!!! (sorry for the ridiculous amount of exclamation points but they are so appropriate for the occasion).

    That’s so brilliant that Spencer thought to get a photographer to come meet you right afterwards. The pictures are absolutely wonderful. You guys seems to make a really, really good pair. Enjoy your engagement (and try not to go too crazy with wedding planning)!!!

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  13. You two look perfect together!! This was a wonderful post to read and so fun to see the pictures. I am very happy for you…and BTW, my husband and I met online – we have been together 9 years and married for 5 1/2 :). CONGRATS!!!

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  18. Yay! So exciting! I love these pictures…I’m so glad you were able to capture the moment. Enjoy this exciting time and all the fun wedding planning. I also go engaged during the month of December…isn’t it the best holiday gift? 🙂 Congrats!

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  21. Awwwww! MEG!!!! I’m so very happy and excited for you!!! Best Christmas present ever, huh?! All the best my dear! Can’t wait to follow all the wedding planning details 🙂

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  23. YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY I love you two together. You match. And his smile reminds me of my husband’s. It’s the smile of a sweet happy good guy. Sweet happy good guys make awesome husbands. Congratulations sweetie. I am SO thrilled for you.

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  26. I am so excited for you! I love hearing your whole story. You guys are just adorable. I’m wishing you loads of happiness from the Midwest. The Huz and I got engaged just after Christmas in 2008 and the holidays were always extra special because of that. I can’t wait to hear your wedding plans!

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  27. EEEEEEEEEEE! congrats, congrats — that’s so wonderful!! I don’t know about you but I was insufferable for weeks after getting engaged — I kept waiting for people on the subway to observe how ‘engaged’ I looked so I could gush about it. 😉 Savor, bask, enjoy! So delighted for the both of you!!

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  28. WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO! That is awesome. Of course as soon as I saw the title of the post I knew. The two of you are so cute together. And it is not corny to say you knew right away, because it was the same way with my husband and I. After our first date, I called a friend of mine and said “this is it”. So you must keep us updated on stuff, like dates and things. So totally excited for you!

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  31. Best, best, best wishes! Loved “hearing” the story. Hope you are having a fabulous week floating on Cloud 9 and watching that ring sparkle underneath your nose as you type away. 😉

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  33. I’m tearing up, I’m so happy for you! I remember reading those posts about the scariness of dating and of previous heartbreak, and it’s so wonderful to see how everything has turned out!

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  46. Oh Meg!! I love this. I love your story and the excitement. You know I adore the exclamation points running down along this post. Love it. I’m so excited for you–what a blessing to have found your match. xo

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  53. I am so happy for the two of you! What a wonderful story. Isn’t it wonderful finding that Special Mister that you can instantly picture spending the rest of your life with! Congratulations and bask in the warmth of your engagement! Cheers!

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  56. After a long day at the library, this brought a smile to my face. I knew I had a significant connection to my husband the first night we met. He proposed 10 months later and we will be married 25 years in Sept. 2013. Congratulations and best wishes.

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  57. Oh my gosh, I was at my mother’s and marked all as read when I came home and see that I missed your big news! How wonderful! I’m so excited for you – the two of you are great together! Congratulations!!

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  60. Thank you all for the kind words and warm wishes — they mean so much to me! It’s been quite a week, but I foresee many a wedding planning post in my future. Promise not to make you crazy, though.

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  61. I am not a blogger, but I really enjoy reading your blog site. I have been waiting for this announcement ever since I started following your book reviews and photos. It has been on my mind often when i open the window. Congratulations from Canada! I wish you both all the best. And I also believe in love at first sight. Nancy

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  64. Congratulations Meg! I am SO ecstatic for you and Spencer! 🙂 I remember when you two met and our phone conversations about how you really liked him. Your ring is absolutely breathtaking and I know you two have a long, happy and bright life together. ❤

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  66. Hi Meg.
    I’ve just dropped into your blog and read your love story. Couldn’t help writing to you, of course to congratulate but also to say that always, always, above all, keep that wide smile on your faces. Special Merry Christmas!

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  67. Congratulations Meg!! Such fantastic news! I’m sure you cannot stop smiling and flashing your finger around with that beautiful ring on it…and you shouldn’t! Bask in your happiness and enjoy it!

    Congratulations to Spencer, too. You did a great job!

    The photos of you and Spencer are adorable and your happiness is catching!

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  72. Congrats. I’m so excited and happy for your amazing news. I’m thrilled for you. I can’t wait to (now that I’m back–hopefully for good this time!) hear about all the future planning and preparation you have ahead of you.

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