‘The Upshaws’ star Jermelle Simon is engaged to the creator Obio Jones (exclusive)

Obio Jones and Jermelle Simon take their relationship to the next level.

The content creator, 32, popped the question to Positions Star, 36, April 25 in an intimate, family -filled proposal. Now the recently engaged couple opens to people about the details of the commitment and their plans for the future.

Jones and Simon’s love story start as so many do often – through a digital connection. After seeing a section of Netflix comedy, which wrapped its last season earlier this year, Jones sent an innocent congratulations message to Simon.

“He made to congratulate/compliment me to my performance on the show. Really smooth as, but kindly too safe,” shares Simon.

That kindness was turned into friendship, and that friendship was transformed into something more after a date on the popular central Los Angeles restaurant Joyce.

“He has always had a good time, but what pulled me in was how deliberately he was/is,” admits Jones, who was a little anxious to take things in a romantic direction, as did Simon. “” Are we sure we want to risk our friendship for romance? “,” Jones reminds to think.

In the end, they decided to take the leap. While the couple chose not to share how long they have officially met (“must hold something offline,” they said), they have shared more of their lives together after Simon came out as gay last October on National Coming Out Day.

“Loving (Obio) didn’t feel like I betray myself,” says Simon. “I think he is doing a beautiful job of being aware and aware of others. If there is a way he can help, he will.”

In recent months, Jones and Simon, who have three children from a previous relationship, have had conversations about marriage, but there were no tough deadlines for the time for everything. But Jones knew Simon would like something intimate. After the two moved in together last month, Jones decided to put a plan in motion.

“The day we got the keys, everyone looked at their rooms and roamed the home,” Jones begins. “(Jermelle and I) were in our primary room, and I got the kids to come in one by one and hand him over congratulations with I love you and sweet descriptions of who he was in them, and what the family meant. He thought it was just when it comes to the house, but I got on one knee and boom!”

Jones suggested for Simon a diamond-clad Cartier ring in their new home surrounded by their loving family. While marriage was already on the horizon, Simon says he did not see the actual proposal coming.

“(It was) a complete surprise, actually. I say that since I would normally have some kind of idea of ​​a thing. (Obio) involved the children and everyone who was important to me, and no one said one thing,” Gushed Simon. “I think it made it so much more special to me because I was not just ready, but I was really surprised, which almost never happens.”

Jones and Simon are well known among their respective black LGBTQ+ groups. For many, they are a northern star in desire and partnership. While the couple is aware of their digital status, Jones says that they do not necessarily publish for the love of commitment. In fact, it is just an extension of what he has already done as a content creator.

“I built an online presence around showing my life and the people involved in it (my dad, siblings, etc.), and now it involves my hubby.” We don’t think about it – we can take advantage of if we did it, “Jones starts, with a laugh.” We just have fun and the house is full of stands, so it is to print “record.” We also do not forget that we are in a relationship that is public, not a public relationship. ”

So, what does the near future have for the happy couple?

“We will give ourselves a month to stop wrong calling each other boyfriend and then jump to planning mode,” shares Jones.

“I think that within a month we will decide whether we want a wedding planner or not,” Simon adds. “At the moment we only take a moment to be present with it.”