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Reese Witherspoon has a lot to celebrate in the new year. The How Do You Know star became engaged to her boyfriend of almost one year, talent agent Jim Toth, on Wednesday.

Toth and Witherspoon were very serious about each other from the beginning, according to People. Friends of the actress said that she felt that Toth was someone "who's more mature and in a place in his life where he's ready to settle down. I think for the first time in a very long time, she feels as if she's with a grown-up."

Witherspoon's ex-husband, Ryan Phillippe, offered his congratulations to the newly engaged couple in a statement to the New York Daily News on Thursday. "I'm very happy for both Reese and Jim," the actor said. "I wish nothing but the best for the mother of my children."

Phillippe and Witherspoon were married for seven years before splitting in 2006. The couple have two children together, Ava, 11, and Deacon, 7. —ISHITA SINGH