HAPPY NEW YEAR! Triple B is starting off 2012 just right with this news:  Bridal bliss is in order for Savannah Brinson, longtime girlfriend of NBA superstar LeBron James. James proposed to Brinson, his high school sweetheart and the mother of the couple’s two sons, on New Year’s Eve in Miami’s South Beach at SL nightclub during a private bash that doubled as his birthday party.

Both James and Brinson were in the bridal party last fall for LA Clipper’s point guard Chris Paul’s wedding to his college sweetheart Jada. While covering the star-studded nuptials, I observed the couple throughout the wedding weekend and got the impression that they’re the real deal. LeBron’s toast to Chris and Jada during the couple’s rehearsal dinner quietly revealed that he seemed to be ready to jump the broom himself. (Fun Fact: Savannah and I briefly chatted about ways to keep our waistlines tight and although she clearly has access to the best trainers and chefs in the world — and I do not — I felt like I was talking to an old girlfriend.) Read the exclusive excerpt below of my interview with Savannah at the Paul rehearsal dinner:

Bridgette Bartlett: As a bridesmaid, do you have any wedding jitters yourself? LeBron just said some powerful stuff [referring to James’ groomsman toast at rehearsal dinner]!
Savannah Brinson: Oh, oh! [laughs] I don’t have any wedding day jitters because I feel like I want him to be absolutely ready. I don’t want him to feel any regrets. When we do it I want it to be because he wanted to do it and I don’t want it to be any pressure. I don’t want it to be because he came to this wedding, he got that feeling, people in his ear. I want him to be absolutely ready and I want it to be right for us — and not because it’s right for everybody else.

Me: Very wise.
Brinson: [laughs] Thank you.

I’m truly excited for these two. Congrats and happy planning Savannah and LeBron!