Jimmy Fallon, the host of The Tonight Show, has opened up about his relationship with his wife, Nancy Juvonen, and the humorous yet heartfelt misstep he made before finally proposing. Despite his usual comedic flair, Fallon shared a rare and genuine moment of vulnerability during a recent interview where he hilariously detailed not proposing to his wife during a trip to Paris—a decision that still makes him laugh (and cringe) to this day.

The Paris Proposal Mishap

In his Lobby Baby stand-up special, Fallon recalled how he and Juvonen, who had been dating for several years, decided to take a romantic trip to Europe. Juvonen, who has always loved Paris, was eager to visit, and Fallon, ever the accommodating partner, agreed. But little did he know, the trip would come with its own set of expectations. “Every one of my wife’s friends said if he’s bringing you to Paris for your birthday, he is going to propose,” Fallon recalled, chuckling at how he failed to recognize the pressure mounting in the background.

He admitted, “I don’t [want] them to go back to school. I don’t want them to meet other people. I just want them to hang out with us for the rest of their life.” When Fallon arrived in Paris, however, his grand idea of a proposal was overshadowed by the overwhelming romance of the city and the unspoken expectation. “It’s too romantic a place for that,” he laughed, acknowledging the irony of the situation.

A Sweet Family Proposal

Fallon may have dropped the ball in Paris, but he made up for it in an incredibly sweet and personal way. Fallon proposed to Juvonen with the help of their Italian greyhound, Frisbee. The dog became an essential part of the proposal, with Fallon tying the ring to Frisbee’s collar. He recalled the funny moment when he had to nervously guard the ring while waiting for Juvonen to return home. “I just had to sit there looking at the dog,” he shared, humorously noting that Frisbee’s “incredible vertical leap” had him worried she might “eat the ring.”

Thankfully, Frisbee was a good girl, and when Juvonen arrived home, Fallon popped the question. The couple married in 2007, and their wedding was a fairytale moment filled with friends and loved ones, including a surprise appearance by Frisbee. Fallon also revealed that his wedding day was an unforgettable one, with Frisbee barking at passing sheep, though a quick-thinking flower girl managed to calm the dog down.

A Dad Who Loves His Daughters

Now, as a father of two girls, Fallon shared that the hardest part about the end of summer is watching his daughters, Winnie (11) and Frances (9), head back to school. He admitted to People that he dreads the thought of them meeting new people and becoming more independent. “I don’t want them to go back to school. I don’t want them to meet other people. I just want them to hang out with us for the rest of their life,” he joked.

But while Fallon is heartbroken to see his little ones leave for school, he acknowledged that his daughters are excited for the next chapter of their lives. They had recently attended summer camp for the first time, and Fallon expressed his pride in seeing them so eager to embark on new adventures.

The girl dad pleaded, ‘Please don’t leave us’; Jimmy, Winnie, Frances and Nancy seen in a throwback snap

Jimmy married his film producer wife married in 2007 after two years of dating; Jimmy, Winnie, Frances and Nancy seen in 2024

His new book is slated to follow a boy and his dog as they count down the days until the beloved spooky holiday; Winnie, Jimmy and Frances seen in 2021

5 More Sleeps ’til Halloween is slated to his shelves on September 3

The Future: Halloween, Family, and Laughter

Beyond the school year, Fallon has also been working on his upcoming children’s book, 5 More Sleeps ’til Halloween, which is set to hit shelves on September 3. He teased that the book will follow a boy and his dog as they count down the days until Halloween, but even if you’re not interested in reading, Fallon joked that it would make a great decoration for your home.

With his ever-growing family, Fallon’s life continues to be filled with laughter, love, and a few hilarious missteps along the way. Whether he’s recounting the misadventures of proposing in Paris or sharing his excitement (and sadness) about his daughters heading back to school, Fallon remains the lovable, self-deprecating comedian we all know and love.