Gina Kirschenheiter and Travis Mullen have announced their engagement after more than six years together. The proposal took place on New Year’s Eve while the couple was enjoying a vacation in Big Bear, California.

Credit: Instagram

During a family ski trip, 40-year-old Travis proposed to the 41-year-old star of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” with a stunning 6-carat oval-cut diamond ring. The couple, along with their six children, had dressed up for their annual “Fancy Dinner Night,” a cherished family tradition.

“I was completely taken by surprise!” Gina shared with PEOPLE on January 7. “My mind was racing to catch up with the magical moment unfolding before me, and I was trying to comprehend the breathtaking ring presented to me. Naturally, I said ‘yes,’ and we shared the sweetest kiss I’ve ever experienced!”

Gina and Travis were joined by their children—Nick, 13, Sienna, 11, and Luca, 10, from Gina’s previous marriage to Matt Kirschenheiter, and Travis’s children, Presley, 14, Bennett, 12, and Joey, 9, from his previous relationship with Meghan Mullen. They had planned to enjoy a surf-and-turf dinner before the New Year’s Eve countdown. However, just before the meal, Travis suggested they all step outside for a group photo, setting the stage for the memorable proposal.

Gina and Travis had traveled to Big Bear with their kids, including Nick, 13, Sienna, 11, and Luca, 10, whom she shares with ex-husband Matt Kirschenheiter, and Presley, 14, Bennett, 12, and Joey, 9, whom he shares with ex Meghan Mullen, and had planned for a surf-and-turf meal ahead of the ball drop. But just before dinner, Travis suggested the group go outside for a photo.

Travis “is big on tradition and capturing thoughtful moments and core memories,” so it “didn’t strike [her] as weird” that he would want to take a pic. But when Travis “grabbed” her, Gina immediately “knew something felt different.”

After sharing “a lot of beautiful romantic things” with Gina, Travis, who alerted their kids to his plan before acting it out, got down on one knee.

“The three of us hugged all teary-eyed and happy, and then walked back into the house where all the other kids were waiting and began to sound off their New Year’s Eve horns and launch off confetti poppers!” Gina shared. “It was perfect! It meant so much to be there as a family celebrating all together. We were all so happy. Truly a pinnacle moment.”

After the engagement, Gina, Travis, and the children “celebrated all night,” which made the ball drop feel “much more special, intentional and united.”

The following day, Gina and Travis took part in a photoshoot in honor of their milestone moment. 

“It was so fun to recreate the moment the next morning, making Big Bear a special place for our family from now on,” Gina noted.

As for her engagement ring, which Travis made in partnership with Wove, the center diamond was set in 18K yellow gold, surrounded by three diamonds on each side, representing their kids, and featured a four-prong setting to signify oneness.

“From the very beginning, this ring was about far more than carat weight or aesthetics — it was about meaning,” Bernie Dufrene, CEO of WoveMade.com, explained. “Travis was incredibly intentional in wanting every detail to reflect his love for Gina and the blended family they’ve built together. The six diamonds flush set into the band represent their children, while the center stone represents Gina and Travis as one. Our role at Wove was to translate that level of thoughtfulness and emotion into a timeless design that tells their story in a way that feels both deeply personal and enduring.”

“The ring is absolutely perfect!” Gina added. “The thought he put into it blows my mind.”

The Real Housewives of Orange County season 20 is expected to begin filming sometime early this year.