The couple's relationship entered a new chapter when they announced their engagement. On 26/8, they shared the joyous news with fans on Instagram, posting photos of the proposal and showcasing the diamond ring designed by Kelce.

While the exact date of the proposal remains unclear, Kelce's father, Ed Kelce, said it happened about two weeks prior. Speaking to ABC News Cleveland on 26/8, he recounted how his son proposed in a garden in Lee's Summit, Missouri, after taking Swift out to dinner.

According to Ed Kelce, Travis had initially planned to propose later that week to allow more time for elaborate preparations, but Swift seemed "impatient." He said, "I told him numerous times that he could get down on one knee anywhere, even by the side of the road, because any place would make the moment special." After Swift said "yes," they immediately called their parents to share the good news.

Travis Kelce proposed to Taylor Swift in a flower-filled garden. According to People, experts estimate the total cost of flowers and decorations to be around 38,000 USD. *Photo: Instagram/Taylor Swift*

Swift and Kelce publicly confirmed their relationship in September 2023, but their romance began two months earlier. In July of that year, Kelce attracted attention when he attended Swift's The Eras Tour concert in Kansas, exchanging friendship bracelets—a staple of the Swift fan community—with other fans. After returning from the concert, Kelce appeared on his and his brother Jason's podcast, New Heights, expressing his disappointment at not being able to give Swift a bracelet with his number on it or having a chance to talk to her after the concert.

Recently, Swift appeared on New Heights, recalling the story with the Kelce brothers. She joked that her boyfriend acted like "a man throwing a tantrum" just because he couldn't meet her. "Travis couldn't meet me, so he made it everyone's problem. That's what I thought at first. He didn't even contact my assistant, thinking that just because he knew the elevator operator, he could ask her to take him down to my dressing room," Swift recounted.

Taylor Swift with her boyfriend in New York, November 2024. *Photo: GC Images*

On the same podcast, Swift compared Kelce's persistent pursuit of her to a scene from a 1980s romantic movie. "He acted like he was going to stand outside my window with a cassette player and ask, 'I want to date you. Do you want to go out with me? I made you a bracelet. Do you want to date me?' I thought, 'If this guy isn't crazy, this is exactly what I wanted to put in my music when I was a teenager.'"

According to Kelce, he used the setlist from The Eras Tour to plan his courtship. "At the concert, I sat there listening to every song she sang and thought to myself, 'I know exactly what she wants me to do.'" He also declared himself "the luckiest man in the world" to have Swift's love.

Since going public with their relationship, the couple has frequently attended each other's events, consistently becoming the focus of international media. Throughout the 2024 NFL season, Swift attended numerous games, from qualifying rounds to the annual Super Bowl. Kelce also appeared at several of Swift's concerts and even joined her on stage. They also engaged in charitable work, visiting and giving gifts to children at a children's hospital in Kansas City in December 2024.

In an interview, the 36-year-old athlete said they consider each other their "plus one" and admire each other's fields. He expressed pride in Swift's efforts and said he learned from her composure when interacting with fans.

Besides supporting her boyfriend's career, Swift expressed her affection through music, reportedly writing songs about their relationship. In the album *The Tortured Poets Department*, released in April 2024, many fans believe two tracks, "The Alchemy" and "So High School," are dedicated to Kelce. According to Us Weekly, based on the lyrics, fans speculate that "The Alchemy" was inspired by Kelce's victories. In the other song, fans believe Swift compares herself and her boyfriend to a popular high school "sweetheart couple." Swift used this song as the background music for her engagement announcement.

In recent months, international media has not reported as extensively on the couple as they chose to live more privately after completing their major schedules. Swift concluded The Eras Tour at the end of last year, and Kelce finished the 2024 season with the Super Bowl in February. During their break, they spent time together, traveled, and met with family and friends. In July, Kelce delighted fans by posting photos of their vacation together.

Kelce is about to start a new season, while Swift is returning to the music scene with her 12th studio album, *The Life of a Showgirl*, scheduled for release on 3/10.

The 36-year-old Swift, dubbed the "princess of country music," debuted in 2006 and quickly achieved success. In addition to her singing talent, she is also a songwriter, creating numerous hits throughout her career. In nearly 20 years in the industry, she has received 14 Grammy Awards and 30 VMAs, and has organized many major tours. Her tour revenue has placed her among the billionaires with a net worth of 1.6 billion USD, according to Forbes.

The 36-year-old Kelce is an American football superstar who has set numerous NFL records. Before his relationship with Swift, he dated model Kayla Nicole for five years, separating in May 2022.

Phuong Thao (*via People, Us Weekly*)