HGTV’s Ty Pennington, 56, announces engagement to Kellee Merrell, 33: ‘Glad I waited for the one’

HGTV’s Ty Pennington, 56, announces engagement to Kellee Merrell, 33: ‘Glad I waited for the one’

HGTV’s Ty Pennington is engaged!

The Trading Spaces host, 56, announced the news on Instagram Wednesday by sharing a sweet photo of fiancée Kellee Merrell’s hand and a stunning teardrop-shaped stone.

‘It’s the ‘yes’ for me…’ Ty captioned the snap, clearly over the moon to be getting hitched to the social media manager, 33. 

She said yes! HGTV favorite Ty Pennington is engaged to longtime friend Kellee Merrell

According to Pennington’s people, he popped the question while the pair were enjoying morning coffee on the dock of his Palm Coast, Florida home.

‘I never thought I would get married, but she changed that,’ the home improvement expert told People about the Kellee, a Vancouver, Canada native. 

‘Glad I waited for the one.’

The couple originally met in 2010 when he was filming a TV show in Toronto and decided to stay in touch.

In early 2020 they reconnected and when the coronavirus pandemic hit in early spring they decided to spend lockdown together.

And the relationship only developed from there, according to Ty.

Sparkler! According to Pennington's people, he popped the question while the pair were enjoying morning coffee on the dock of his Palm Coast, Florida home

Sparkler! According to Pennington’s people, he popped the question while the pair were enjoying morning coffee on the dock of his Palm Coast, Florida home 

Good things take time: The couple originally met in 2010 when he was filming a TV show in Toronto but things didn't become romantic until 2020 when the pandemic brought them together

Good things take time: The couple originally met in 2010 when he was filming a TV show in Toronto but things didn’t become romantic until 2020 when the pandemic brought them together

‘I have admired Kellee from afar for years. She’s a beautiful person inside and out,’ he told People.

‘Luckily our paths finally crossed at the right time. It’s one of those things where you just feel happy being around a person.’ 

Ty’s friends and HGTV colleagues were quick to congratulate the TV personality.

‘Awwww congrats!!!’ wrote Help! I Wrecked My House star Jasmine Roth. 

Taniya Nayak, who currently appeared on HGTV’s Battle On The Beach with Ty, posted: ‘Wooohoooo! Smart move!! She’s a keeper! Congrats you two lovebirds!’ 

His Trading Spaces co-star Genevieve Gorder was ecstatic, sharing: ‘IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU MY FRIEND!!! Cannot wait to meet her.’

The relationship seemed like a happy surprise for his Ty Breaking co-star Sabrina Soto, who commented: ‘What!!?? What!?! Yeah!!!!! Omg!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!! I’m so happy for you both!!!’

Sweet: 'I have admired Kellee from afar for years. She's a beautiful person inside and out,' he told People

Sweet: ‘I have admired Kellee from afar for years. She’s a beautiful person inside and out,’ he told People

Happiness abound! Ty's friends and HGTV colleagues were quick to congratulate the TV personality

Happiness abound! Ty’s friends and HGTV colleagues were quick to congratulate the TV personality

Pennington and Merrell are already thinking about the next steps.

They recently purchased a 19th-century house together in Savannah, Georgia which they are currently renovating to be their dream home.

Pennington’s rep added that the couple is ‘thrilled to be engaged and excited to begin their life together.’

Ty – who is said to be worth around $12million – shared a loving tribute to Kellee for her birthday in June. 

He paired a loved-up hiking pic with a sweet caption that said: ‘Thank you …Universe… for creating this amazing human… who somehow tolerates me … even tho I’m beginning to look like papa smurf after a Willie Nelson concert.’ 

Pennington previously dated actress Andrea Bock. 

Their relationship started back in 1997 but the romance ran its course and by 2009 they were no longer together. 

In an Instagram comment back in June, Ty said they were still ‘great friends.’

Ex: Pennington previously dated actress Andrea Bock, seen together in 2005 above

Ex: Pennington previously dated actress Andrea Bock, seen together in 2005 above

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