Teen Mom's Mackenzie McKee Says She's 'Confident' Late Mom Was Present During Khesanio Hall's Proposal (Exclusive)

• Mackenzie McKee is excited for her next chapter — as wife to fiancé Khesanio Hall after he proposed in May 2024
• The couple's engagement comes after they publicly debuted their relationship in January 2023
• McKee — who shares three kids with ex-husband Josh McKee — tells PEOPLE she's excited for fans to see how her family's new dynamic plays out on Teen Mom: The Next Chapter

Mackenzie McKee is a bride-to-be!

The Teen Mom: The Next Chapter star, 29, recently revealed that she's engaged after her boyfriend of over a year and a half, Khesanio Hall, proposed last month. Speaking with PEOPLE about her engagement news and the upcoming season of the MTV reality series, Mackenzie shares how her beautiful beach proposal came to be.

"I had my dad, sisters and best friend in town. We decided to all dress up for a photo shoot and head to the beach," she shares.

"When I arrived at the beach, I saw my man there, ready to ask me to marry him," she gushes. "The first thing that came to my mind was, 'Oh my God, I am loved. I get to marry this man that I love so much.' "

Mackenzie, who first publicly debuted her relationship with Hall in January 2023, says, "I could not have had a more perfect day."

"I know Khess is my soulmate. Not a day goes by where I have doubts," she shares. "He never ceases to amaze me with how much thought goes into important events. The only thing missing was my mom, but I’m confident she was there."

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Mackenzie's mom, Angie Douthit, died of cancer in 2019. The mom of three has made it her mission to honor her mom and keep her memory alive within her family.

It has also been important for Mackenzie to see the relationship between her kids and Hall blossom after they witnessed contention between her and their dad over the course of their relationship. Mackenzie says she and ex Josh McKee currently "don't co-parent," though she's hopeful for the future.

"My kids are raised by Khes. So he is security for all of us. The hero that came to our rescue. I love his love for them," she raves.

"It’s not just a stepdad relationship, it’s a true love deep in his heart. I know my kids wouldn’t want life any other way than for Khes to be a part of it forever."

The mom of three — Broncs, 7, Jaxie, 10, and Gannon, 12 — is hopeful that all her kids can learn from their relationship, especially as the couple prepares for their marriage.

"It feels so good for my own flesh and blood to watch me be properly loved. I pray my boys can learn how to love and respect through him and my daughter learns self-worth," she says. "He is so, so special to all of us."

Mackenzie adds, "Dating with kids is hard. He must love them to love me." 

Mackenzie and Hall's relationship is part of her story shared on this season of Teen Mom: The Next Chapter. It marks the mom of three's official return to the franchise after departing Teen Mom OG in 2021.

"We have really enjoyed filming this season and opening the world up to our lives," she says. "We can't wait to see everyone watch how it went down."

For Mackenzie, she's excited to share a new side of herself and how her mindset has helped her through dark times to this season of change.

"My life looks very, very different, so that's what I'm excited to share with people kind of how I got out and changed my life."

Looking ahead, the reality star is excited for what the future has in store. "What more could I ask for in life? A love like this is worth it all."