The big Bates secret has been revealed. Carlin Bates is engaged to Evan Stewart! The proposal took place over the weekend at Portland Head Lighthouse, reports PEOPLE Magazine. Evan surprised Carlin with a trip to Maine. After taking a limo to the proposal location, the couple shared a dance to live cello music. With both parents watching from a distance, Evan got down on one knee and pulled out a gorgeous ring...and Carlin said yes! Photos coming soon.
Photo courtesy of Carlin Bates
Photo courtesy of Carlin Bates
I'm so excited. Uptv just sent me an email. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! Poor Gil another girl getting married.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!! And that happened literally in my back yard....beautiful place and a beautiful day!!!!
ReplyDeleteA birthday too?
ReplyDeleteSo excited for y'all!
ReplyDeleteWhere did Carlin get that dress? It’s so pretty!
ReplyDeleteI’m so excited for them!!
ReplyDeleteThey danced? That took me by surprise, all these years I thought the Bates had the same views/personal convictions regarding dancing as the Duggars.
ReplyDeleteThe music they heard is absolutely the music one would feel the need to dance to.....whether they believe in dancing or not 😁 it is incredible to listen too and when they play by the ocean as they do it is awe inspiring!!! PS - I thought that too about yhe Bates until I listened to an interview with Kelly and Gil when one of the boys wanted to do trick riding and it involved dancing...I remember Kelly saying something along the lines in regards to how each of her children are growing exploring and changing their (the familys) "beliefs" if you will and how proud she was and is of each of them!! Gil and Kelly in my eyes are fantastic parents...whether it is their own conviction or not they allow their children to grow and explore 😁
DeleteThought they didn't believe in dancing..it could lead to desires that could not righteously be fulfilled? (Their words.) They really need to explain how/why their beliefs change.
ReplyDeleteThat was the Duggars exact words I believe, and the parents don’t get to decide what their adult children do.
DeleteAgreed. Dancing? When did that change? And these destination engagements are getting over the top,or did Kelly already have that trip planned for Carlin's birthday also?
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DeleteThere was an episode of BUB where they discussed how the kids didn't do much dancing growing up as Gil and Kelly discouraged it while Gil's parents danced. Nathan ended up dancing with Mama Jane a little bit. I agree that it would be helpful to know how or why Gil and Kelly have altered their beliefs. If they are simply allowing their adult children still at home determine their standards, how does that affect the younger teens and kids?
I think that an episode explaining how Gil and Kelly's perspective as parents has changed as the kids have gotten older would be a great episode. They've already said that they altered their courtship model after seeing its affect on Zach after his broken courtship. Are there other things they've rethought with more of their kids entering adulthood? Also, how has daily life changed as more of the Bateses are adults and are (or almost are) married.
Well I think that is more of Kelli and Gil’s belief...maybe Evans family doesn’t hold those beliefs.
DeleteI guess those desires will be righteously fulfilled soon. :)
DeleteDid they actually dance or is it just for the photo?
DeleteAnon at 440PM, that is interesting, I don't recall that episode but I guess the Bates "discouraging" dancing is different from an outright prohibition.
DeleteBTW I see a lot of people are still assuming the Bates have the exact same beliefs as the Duggars, but they are different in many ways.
The Bates don't rush to the altar a few months after the courtship starts; Evan and Carlin had a relationship for 2 years before the engagement, other couples for even longer. They don't have a "side hug" rule. They encourage their kids to go to college, and so far all the married daughters including the ones with kids, have some kind of work they do outside the home. All very different choices compared to the Duggars.
Completely agree with y'all. We need a special episode to hear why Gil and Kelly's standards for their kids have changed so much.
DeleteJust like the Duggar family. Money and fame have changed them and some of their original convictions as well. I seriously think both families should address this again, give your fans an "update" on the new convictions please. God bless!
DeleteUm...maybe it was like a waltz.
DeleteCongrats!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you both I am so excited for all the new things to come for the family
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, but wow, DANCING? I'm so confused what this family actually believes. More and more worldly! It's so sad!
ReplyDeleteNot sad...joyful! Stop judging!
DeleteI agree…stop judging!
DeleteWhat's wrong with dancing?
DeleteI'm confused, too! They're all over the place.
DeleteBut you posters who say stop judging are judging the first posters. Is anyone else confused by all this?? Why don't we just accept each other's opinions without any judgement, as Jesus taught us :)
DeletePictures are so lovely.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to Evan and Carlin.
Gil will have to practice meditation - he will soon be down to four at home daughters. . . . Katie is so nice and pretty it will not be long before her heart goes for some lucky/worthy guy.
No rush but he has to be thinking that way.
How fun to dse the Bates sharing their life and encouraging our youth to court, date purely. We all need to encourage our youth of the Lord's plan set forth in the Bible.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place. I was there for my honeymoon 8 years ago. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteDancing? What’s next? Champagne toasts?? The ever shifting boundaries without any explanation or updates. Hmm...
ReplyDeleteThey are adults. They can do as they please.
DeleteBiggest Congrats!!
ReplyDeleteI live in Maine about forty five minutes from Portland. Congratulations to the both of you
ReplyDeleteBeautiful ring and location! Very happy for them.
ReplyDeleteI keep thinking maybe Katie will catch one of those handsome Duggar fellas
ReplyDeleteShe's pretty close in age to Jed/Jer and Jason! I think Jana and Nathan would be a good match! Everyone wants to put her with Lawson but his personality doesn't mesh with hers.
DeleteI am happy for Carlin and Evan and think the setting, limo ride, and the formal clothes certainly fit them as a couple; though it doesn't seem Evan had to do as much work himself as Kelton did.
ReplyDeleteBTW It's so interesting how some posters are lamenting the "worldliness" of the Bates, while others are praising them for following "the Lord's plan".
As for the "destination engagement", those actually aren't that new of a trend, Zach took Whitney down to Florida and proposed on a beach.
Congrats to them!!
ReplyDeleteSo Carlin was in NY one week, in South Carolina another, and in Maine another. Yeah, I can TOTALLY relate to this family ��
ReplyDeleteAll that travel while going to school. Not much time for studying.
DeleteWell, can't say I was surprised, but I can say that I'm very happy for them! Congrats you two!
ReplyDeleteAll of these comments about the dancing are so out of line and over the top. Judgement like this is hurtful, and not Christlike.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the Bates would have a heart to heart if one of their children peaked an interest in something that concerned them.
The Bates seem to have a good grasp on individual relationships with their adult children and their personal values, rather than strict zealot rules - a parenting skill to be admired.
Regardless, all most people see of them is an edited television show. I'm sure people would have plenty to say about any of us if we were filmed as well.
Anon at 1203PM: I mostly agree with you. They also had no issues with Nathan possibly joining a trick riding troupe that does dance. On the other hand there's a big difference between dancing as part of an entertainment troupe, and a romantically involved couple dancing.
DeleteSo, my first reaction to the engagement pictures was indeed "I thought the Bates didn't believe in that kind of ROMANTIC dancing" and so I understand why so many other fans are wondering, too.
Where I do think some people are crossing the line is when they accuse the Bates of being "changed by the money and fame" and giving up their convictions because of that. While the Bates certainly have changed their formerly frugal lifestyle, I don't see the dancing as having anything to do with money and fame. I doubt People magazine or UPTV told them "hey if you let us show Carlin and Evan dancing then we'll pay you an extra 25%" or anything like that.
Congratulations to you both. Beautiful ring! I do think that these over the top destination engagements are out of control. Poor guys just spent big money on a beautiful ring then pay for a crazy place & plan to propose. I feel for Gil & all the money he will be putting out for 2 more weddings that will probably be close together.
ReplyDelete2 weddings? who? carlin and...
DeleteJosie.
DeleteWow! Congrats Carlin ans and Evan. God bless you both can't wait to see the wedding. It will be amazing
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