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Gina Kirschenheiter and Travis Mullen are engaged after more than six years of dating, following a New Year’s Eve proposal in Big Bear, California.
Amid a family ski vacation, Travis, 40, popped the question to the 41-year-old Real Housewives of Orange County star with a 6-carat oval-cut diamond engagement ring after the two of them, and their combined six children, got all dressed up for a “Fancy Dinner Night,” which has been a tradition for their family in recent years.
“I was in complete shock!” Gina admitted to PEOPLE on January 7. “My nervous system was trying to catch up to what just happened in this magical moment and I was also trying to process the iceberg that was being presented to me as well! I of course said ‘yes,’ and melted into what was the sweetest kiss I’ve ever felt!”
Gina and Travis had traveled to Big Bear with their kids, including Nick, 13, Sienna, 11, and Luca, 10, whom she shares with ex-husband Matt Kirschenheiter, and Presley, 14, Bennett, 12, and Joey, 9, whom he shares with ex Meghan Mullen, and had planned for a surf-and-turf meal ahead of the ball drop. But just before dinner, Travis suggested the group go outside for a photo.
Travis “is big on tradition and capturing thoughtful moments and core memories,” so it “didn’t strike [her] as weird” that he would want to take a pic. But when Travis “grabbed” her, Gina immediately “knew something felt different.”
After sharing “a lot of beautiful romantic things” with Gina, Travis, who alerted their kids to his plan before acting it out, got down on one knee.
“The three of us hugged all teary-eyed and happy, and then walked back into the house where all the other kids were waiting and began to sound off their New Year’s Eve horns and launch off confetti poppers!” Gina shared. “It was perfect! It meant so much to be there as a family celebrating all together. We were all so happy. Truly a pinnacle moment.”
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After the engagement, Gina, Travis, and the children “celebrated all night,” which made the ball drop feel “much more special, intentional and united.”
The following day, Gina and Travis took part in a photoshoot in honor of their milestone moment.
“It was so fun to recreate the moment the next morning, making Big Bear a special place for our family from now on,” Gina noted.
As for her engagement ring, which Travis made in partnership with Wove, the center diamond was set in 18K yellow gold, surrounded by three diamonds on each side, representing their kids, and featured a four-prong setting to signify oneness.
“From the very beginning, this ring was about far more than carat weight or aesthetics — it was about meaning,” Bernie Dufrene, CEO of WoveMade.com, explained. “Travis was incredibly intentional in wanting every detail to reflect his love for Gina and the blended family they’ve built together. The six diamonds flush set into the band represent their children, while the center stone represents Gina and Travis as one. Our role at Wove was to translate that level of thoughtfulness and emotion into a timeless design that tells their story in a way that feels both deeply personal and enduring.”
“The ring is absolutely perfect!” Gina added. “The thought he put into it blows my mind.”
The Real Housewives of Orange County season 20 is expected to begin filming sometime early this year.