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By LIZZIE SMITH
Engaged: Kat Von D shows off her engagement ring as she hugs fiancé Jesse James last weekSanda Bullock's ex-husband Jesse James has announced his engagement to Kat Von D.
Claiming '2010 was the best year of my life', the reality star said he 'fell in love with my best friend'.
James, 41, split from Bullock weeks after she won an Academy Award in March 2010 for her role in The Blind Side.
Their split following reports of his extra marital affairs and their divorce became final in June.
Sparkler: Von D's ringJames is believed to have slept with at least six other women while being married to the actress and was vilified in the press for his actions, even losing his reality show West Coast Choppers.
But James said that far from being a terrible year it had been 'the best'.
'You know sometimes the public and press gets it wrong,' he told People magazine. 'This is one of those times.
'2010 was actually the best year of my life because I fell in love with my best friend. An amazing woman who stood behind me when the world turned their backs.
'I have never met anyone so kind and loving and committed to making the world a better place every day.
'My love for her is beyond description. So honoured that she said 'yes.' Growing old with her is going to be a f****** blast!'
Wronged woman: James' ex-wife Sandra Bullock leaves her Manhattan apartment yesterday with son LouisRumours about a possible engagement were sparked when heavily tattooed LA Ink star Von D was spotted wearing a sparkling ring on her engagement finger earlier this month.
Despite their engagement the 28-year-old plans to continue living in LA, while the former reality star recently relocated to Austin, Texas - Bullock's home town.
Von D told People: 'In the end, home is where the heart is, and my heart's with him.'
The couple have made no secret of their love, with Von D tweeting today: Waking up to what @FreeJesseJames said about our engagement this morning brought tears to my eyes, in the best way possible.
'I guess the 'kat' is outta the bag eh?' she added.
Before the split: James and Bullock celebrate her Oscar win in April, shortly before she learnt of his infidelity James responded: 'I only said it cuz it's true!' and then told his fiancee he loved her.
Since her divorce, Bullock has been throwing herself into raising her baby son Louis, who she and James secretly adopted shortly before she learnt of his infidelity.
She is now raising him as a single mother. The two were pictured in New York today, Bullock grim faced as she carried her warmly wrapped son to her car.
Kat Von D and Jesse James Leaving Art of Elysium Party
Kat Von D's Engagement Ring: The Inside Scoop!
source: dailymail [endtext]
