Fans already know that Josie Bates is engaged to her longtime love Kelton Balka, but they’ll get to see all of the moments leading up to Kelton’s sweet proposal on tonight’s hour-long season finale of Bringing Up Bates! In an exclusive sneak peek from tonight’s episode, Kelton begins their journey to engagement by reflecting on his relationship with Josie and starting the first part of his four-part scavenger hunt proposal with a love letter written from the heart.

“The first time I saw Josie, I was absolutely floored with how pretty she was,” the 23-year-old gushed in his confessional. “I very quickly saw and appreciated her depth of character and person, and I immediately was attracted to her, wanted to hang around her, and learn about her.”

The first part of Kelton’s scavenger hunt for Josie, 19, started with a letter where Kelton opened up about how their relationship started. “Basically in this letter, I talked about [how] our relationship was founded — as it went on, girlfriend and boyfriend and even now — but how it grew from a foundation of true friendship, and you’ve always been my best friend,” Kelton told Josie in the clip.

josie bates kelton balka

(Photo Credit: Courtesy of Uptv

Kelton and Josie met in 2014, and he popped the question back in June after five months of courting, and In Touch previously revealed the sweet details about Kelton’s proposal. He surprised Josie at her job R&Co Salon in Knoxville, TN, with flowers and a charm bracelet as a gift. Then, with the help of Josie’s parents and her parents, Gil and Kelly Jo Bates, and Kelton’s father, Michael Balka, the couple set off to Utah — which was one of Josie’s destinations.

“Each part of the four-part scavenger hunt represents a stage of Kelton and Josie’s relationship, and each part is accompanied by a new charm for her bracelet and a new location,” UPtv revealed at the time. “At the last stop, the Tower Arch Viewpoint at the Arches National Park, Kelton presents her with the most beautiful charm of all: a stunning engagement ring.” 

Be sure to tune in to the special, hour-long Season 7 finale of Bringing Up Bates, airing Thursday, Sept. 27, at 9 p.m. ET on UPtv.

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