Jen: I have been best friends with Laura Meitzler and Jim Meitzler since the three of us were in high school. Laura and I graduated together from high school, then went on to college together, then were in each other's weddings (Laura married Jim Meitzler). Since the three of us were so close and intertwined so many life events together I was very close to Laura and Jim's families. So I knew a lot or most of their family members. I didn't know Brian, however.

Brian is Jim Meitzler's Cousin, and he drove in their wedding. I don't remember him, but he says he remembers me....I think he is fibbing.

We were both married and divorced. I had two fantastic boys, and he had one beautiful daughter. We both lived and learned and don't regret anything because we both believe that if we didn't go through what we did, we wouldn't have met each other.

I am the number one Jr.'s Grades Groupie and I was usually at their shows, (Jim Meitzler is the lead singer in the band), and Brian started going to their shows after he got his divorce. Laura said I should ask him out, but he would always sit by himself and not talk to anyone, while I was always on the dance floor dancing. He was quiet and I was outgoing. But he was always with Frankie Meitzler and the other Meitzlers I usually hang out with so it was a little awkward because he was cute and I did flirt with him and he just wouldn't ask me out.

Finally, one night I messaged Brian and asked him out for drinks and he said he was going to ask me but considering the circumstances he was hesitant. When we went out, I was really worried and wanted to find out what the circumstances were that made him hesitant because I knew he was younger than me and that bothered me. So if that was the circumstance that bothered him I wouldn't keep dating him and I needed to know what the difference in age was because I wasn't fond of dating younger guys as they seemed very immature.

When I brought up what the circumstances were and if it was the age difference he seemed confused and said age is just a number.... I said well not to me it's not. He said does it bother you? And I said kind of. It turned out he is 5 years younger than me and I thought he was much younger so that is good. He actually acts older than me. LOL When he told me that he is concerned that if we didn't work out and I'm best friends with Laura and Jim and he's Cousins with Jim so it would be awkward whenever there are family functions I about dropped my jaw to the ground. I said, first of all Jim and Laura aren't like that and neither am I. And, why are you looking at the negative side of this before we even start dating anyway? What if it does work out? You shouldn't always look at the negative side of things at the beginning of everything. He said he didn't want to set himself up for failure. I said well why don't you set yourself up for success then. I told him I'm not the type of person who will make you uncomfortable if we ever broke up.

Now he will not be allowed to break up with me! LOL

So now that we were completely and totally in love and decided that we were going to spend the rest of our lives together....but never mentioning the "M" word because it was taboo to both of us, we were extremely happy. The funny thing is, my boys, Chad and Chase would ask me every once in a while, "what if Brian asks you to marry him, are you going to say yes?" and I would say, well, I don't think he will because we really don't talk about it and because of our past experiences it's really not something we're interested in. And then they would say, "well if he does, you better say yes!" They love him so much like a father and want him to be officially their dad as much as I want him to be my husband.

I didn't find out the behind the scenes planning of all of this until after the "Big Event" so I will tell it to you as I found out. LOL

It was Christmas Eve, 2018 and the boys, Brian and I were getting ready to go to Huffs Church for Christmas Eve candlelight service as we do every year since Brian and I have been together. Brian told Chad to dress up a little because Chad wasn't going with us, but he wanted to get a family picture before we left for Church after he picked up Angelina to go with us. So when he came back with Angelina we were all in the kitchen standing around waiting to go to Church and I finally said well are we going to go now?

Brian said yeah let's go! I turned around to grab my coat and when I turned back around he was on his knee in front of me with the ring out. I was flabbergasted! He started saying will you marry me....I guess. I turned around and had my back to him and said to Angelina who had her camera up to me and said, "Angelina! Are you OK with this?" She said Yeah. Then I asked her what she was doing and she said she was video taping for her dad. Then I turned to the boys and I asked each one of them and I asked them if they were OK with it? And they said yeah. Then Chad said, Mom, are you OK with it? I said yeah but I need to make sure all the kids are good.

Brian then said, "Jen, can I get up? Are you going to give me an answer?" I said Yes! Of course! And kissed him, but it was a little awkward because I really wanted to make sure the kids were all good especially Angelina.

Funny thing is, Chad knew this ahead of time and he didn't say anything. Chase didn't know until then, but he is so excited to have Brian for a dad. He already considers Brian his dad as does Chad. They love him and will protect him as a father like I've never seen and it makes me so proud. Another thing that really makes me proud is that Chad really loves Angelina as a sister. They talk via snap chat, text and other social media all the time. They act as big brother and little sister which I love because they look out for each other. Angelina is like the daughter I never had. I love having a daughter in the family. Finally I have a girl I can watch get dressed up for formal occasions and see how beautiful she is turning out to be. I love her so much.

We have a beautiful family and I'm so excited to live the rest of my life as a Meitzler!