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Home · Love & Sex

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple

First comes meeting through the pages of ESSENCE, then comes a Storybook proposal at Walt Disney World, then comes a baby girl named ESSENCE!  
By Charreah K. Jackson · Updated October 27, 2020
01
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!

After spotting artist Kurtis Watkins in the 2008 ESSENCE “Do Right Men” feature, art teacher Jennifer Mack reached out. The two creatives quickly hit it off and in 2012 Kurtis asked Jennifer to be his wife with a surprise proposal at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom, as contestants for our Storybook Wedding franchise. Now the lovebirds who met, got engaged and shared their wedding story with us is expecting their first child – a daughter to be named ESSENCE. “Essence brought us together and has been a part of our entire love story,” Jennifer said. “Of course we were excited to share that with baby. And ladies, don’t be afraid to make that first move.” We threw a surprise proposal to celebrate this special moment! Thanks to Disney, TJ Maxx, Walmart, Cocoa Babies for gifts, Olive Garden and Welch’s for food and Bcake Ny for the cake and cupcakes. Celebrate the beauty of love and new life!

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariya Moseley
02
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!

The couple got engaged at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom park as part of our 2012 Storybook Wedding contest.

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariya Moseley
03
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!

Surprise! We told the couple to stop by to say hello – they walked into a baby shower.

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariya Moseley
04
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!

ESSENCE Lifestyle Editor Charreah Jackson welcomes Kurtis and Jennifer to their surprise ESSENCE baby shower.

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariya Moseley
05
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!

The couple take in the display including sweet treats from Welch’s fruit snacks, as guests dig in to Olive Garden catering.

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariya Moseley
06
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!

ESSENCE staffers congratulate the mom and dad.

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariya Moseley
07
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!

The Baby Essence cake from BCake NY is surrounded by delicious vanilla and chocolate cupcakes.

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariya Moseley
08
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!

Kurtis displays a custom onesie by Cocoababies, which features one of his art creation.

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariya Moseley
09
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!

Staffers write love notes to Baby ESSENCE.

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariya Moseley
10
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!

Walt Disney World sent a special Animal Kingdom gift bag to celebrate the couple who got engaged at the park.

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariya Moseley
11
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!

Say cheese! ESSENCE staffers smile big during the shower.

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariya Moseley
12
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!

Personalized Onesies & Bibs from Cocoababies stole the hearts of many at the shower, including mom-to-be.

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariya Moseley
13
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!

What’s a shower without games? Custom Baby ESSENCE bingo featured words from Do Right to Disney.

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariya Moseley
14
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!

We like to party.

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariya Moseley
15
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!

Jennifer strikes a pose with baby Janelle Monae, her favorite artist, from the Because of Them, We Can campaign.

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariya Moseley
16
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!

Jennifer checks out gifts from TJ Maxx and Marshalls, including this festive pillow for Essence’s nursery.

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariya Moseley
17
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!
Kurtis and Jennifer receive blocks from Walmart – and a subscription to their baby box for new moms.
ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariyah Mosely
18
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!

The gifts keep coming for Baby ESSENCE!

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariya Moseley
19
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!

Our team is super excited for our new addition!

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariya Moseley
20
Celebrating Baby ESSENCE!

Congrats to Kurtis and Jennifer! This shower was possible with the generous donations including Activity Cards from 9SPR and Love Grows Here gift set from Yinibini Baby, colorful flowers from The Bouqs Company and more.

ESSENCE Is Having a Baby! Inside the Surprise Baby Shower for Our Storybook Couple
Mariya Moseley
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