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[The Surprise Engagement: A New Chapter of Life]-[I'M ENGAGED]

Trying Not to Care · B2 · 2024-12-09

RelationshipsHealthCareers
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📋 Summary

The Surprise Engagement: An Intimate Milestone

In this deeply personal episode, the host candidly shares the joyous news of her engagement to her longtime partner, Josh. Despite her initial belief that she would be able to "sniff him out" and predict the proposal due to his history of being an "open book," the host admits that the moment on November 30th was a complete surprise. She describes the experience as a "jump scare" in the best possible way, noting that she "literally blacked out" from shock when she turned around to see Josh on his knee.

The Proposal Story

The proposal took place in the comfort of their home while decorating their first real Christmas tree. The host recounts how Josh encouraged her to record the moment she placed the star on top, a subtle attempt to capture the proposal on video, though she admits she "ruined it" by stopping the recording too early. The proposal itself was intimate, involving just the couple and their dogs, and featured a personalized ornament that read, "Josh and Ashley engaged 2024." The host humorously reflects on her outfit—a "fur coat and a cowboy santa hat"—noting that while it wasn't the vision she had for such a milestone, it was perfectly "on brand" for her.

Manifesting and Communication

The host emphasizes the importance of being vocal about one’s desires in a relationship. She candidly shares how she created a "vision board" and a Pinterest mood board titled "if I ever get engaged lol" to manifest this step in their relationship. By showing Josh these boards and having open conversations about her desire to be engaged in 2024, she helped "get the ball rolling." She stresses that expressing one's needs for security and commitment is not "asking for too much"; rather, it is a healthy way to ensure both partners are on the same page.

A Seven-Year Journey

Reflecting on their seven-year relationship, the host discusses the evolution of their bond, from their early days as acquaintances in their hometown to reconnecting in college. She recounts her bold approach in their early stages, admitting she was the one who "made the first move" by sneaking into his bed. She highlights that their relationship has been defined by a lack of pressure and a commitment to growing together at their own pace. She advises listeners not to compare their timelines to others, noting that "everyone is on their own path."

Choosing the Right Partner

A core piece of advice the host offers is to look beyond physical attraction when choosing a lifelong partner. She encourages listeners to prioritize qualities like kindness, respect, and trustworthiness. She notes that if you wouldn't want to be around someone as a friend, they are likely not the right person for a marriage. For her, choosing Josh was about finding someone who makes her feel "safe and heard."

Looking Ahead

As for the future, the host remains in a "honeymoon phase," enjoying the transition from girlfriend to fiancé. While they are currently looking at buying a house, which may influence their wedding timeline, she is in no rush to plan every detail immediately. She expresses gratitude for her audience's support and invites them to follow along as she navigates this exciting new "era" of her life.

🎯Key Sentences

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📝Key Phrases

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elephant in the room
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jump scare
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open book
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sniff out
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get the ball rolling
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📖 Transcript

The following podcast is a Dear Media production.
Hello. I don't know how to open today's episode because I feel like there's a huge elephant in the room and rock.
And you're probably looking at the title being like, Ashley, what happened to like, hello?
What happened to how are you?
Just a huge jump scare.
Didn't see that coming.

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