Dax Shepard Recalls Proposing to Kristen Bell After Telling Her He Didn’t Believe in Marriage

In a recent episode of the podcast *Armchair Expert*, Dax Shepard shared a heartfelt account of his proposal to actress Kristen Bell, shedding light on their journey toward marriage despite their initial reservations. The couple, who have been together since 2007, reflected on their unique love story with a mix of nostalgia and humour during an episode that also featured Bell’s co-stars from the Netflix series *Nobody Wants This*.

Shepard recalled the magical moment he proposed to Bell on Christmas Eve in 2009. Although he had initially planned to pop the question at Stanley’s Restaurant in Sherman Oaks, California—where he had previously expressed his love for her—circumstances led him to rethink his plans. In an unexpected turn of events, the couple found themselves in bed that night after a lovely evening with family.

“I thought I was going to make the proposal a month later at Stanley’s,” Shepard said. “But as we were in bed, Kristen began sharing her gratitude for our little family and I realised that this was the moment.” Spurred by the warmth of the moment, he decided to get the ring right then and there.

Their engagement was nearly thwarted by a slip-up from Shepard’s jeweller, who inadvertently disclosed to the media that he had purchased an engagement ring. Fortunately for Shepard, Bell was blissfully unaware of his intentions. “You had no idea that I was ever going to ask you to get married,” he told her, to which she nodded in agreement, recalling how he had expressed scepticism about the institution of marriage.

Despite Bell’s fondness for the traditions surrounding marriage, she accepted Shepard’s point of view, as he once stated, “A piece of paper filed at a courthouse isn’t going to dictate how I treat you.” Their shared backgrounds, marked by numerous parental divorces, contributed to Shepard’s reluctance to embrace the idea of marriage as a necessary symbol of their commitment.

For Bell, the way Shepard treated her made the lack of a formal marriage less relevant. “He treats me like his wife, so who cares?” she reflected, revealing the strength of their bond that transcended conventional expectations.

On that fateful night, when the couple lay in bed, the atmosphere was charged with emotion and intimacy. As Shepard retrieved the ring from their closet, the sounds immediately made Bell aware something significant was about to happen. “I sensed it immediately,” she recounted, highlighting the energy in the room that night.

When Shepard finally asked her to be his wife, Bell was taken by surprise and overwhelmed by joy. “I started sobbing really, really hard,” she admitted, recounting her raw emotional reaction to his proposal. It was a moment neither of them had anticipated, yet it marked a crucial turning point in their relationship.

Following their engagement, the couple shared the news with the world in February 2010. Bell later turned the tables by proposing to Shepard herself in June 2013, after a landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalised same-sex marriage. Her proposal was public, issued via social media, and celebrated as a progressive statement on love and equality.

The proposal, which had both charm and humour, concluded with Shepard’s enthusiastic reply, further solidifying their commitment to one another. They were married later that year in October and now share two daughters together.

Shepard and Bell’s love story offers a refreshing perspective on the institution of marriage, revealing that commitment does not always need to adhere to traditional norms. Their journey, filled with humour, authenticity, and mutual respect, serves as an inspiring reminder of the many forms love can take.