Marriage proposals can be the stuff of dreams, evoking images of sweeping gestures, heartfelt confessions, and a lifetime of love and happiness.
Yet, for the proposer, it can be quite a daunting and nerve-racking experience, filled with self-doubt and the need for the moment to be exactly what you envisioned.
Taking to the online community of Reddit, one young-in-love user asked the over 60s for their proposal stories to gather ideas and create the perfect romantic proposal.
“How did you propose?,” the user asked.
“I’m getting ready to propose. Lay it all on me.”
One senior user’s unique proposal involving a camping trip was sure to inspire the young proposer.
“We were camping. It was a hot day and we went out for a hike next to a pretty stream,” they began.
“He knew I loved arrowheads and had spent my childhood summers in Idaho at my grandparents’ farm looking for them.
“We sat in the shade to rest next to the stream. He squatted over the stream looking down into the water and told me to come see something. I went over and looked into the water and spied an arrowhead. I fished it out. It had a string attached. On the other end of the string was an engagement ring.”
Another person offered some sage advice to the proposer, saying sometimes it’s best to keep things simple.
“Honestly, I think a lot of pressure is on proposing these days. For many it seems like it has to be this huge Instagram-worthy spectacle,” they said.
“My husband proposed, with a ring, quietly. We were at home and alone, and naked. There was no camera.
“Consider what your partner would want. As long as they say yes, the proposal itself may not be so important. And if it is, the time or person may not be right.”
Someone else advised the best proposals are ones that don’t come with huge pressure for a response.
“In a manner designed not to force an immediate answer,” the comment read.
“It was something along the lines of ‘I’d really like to marry you, but it’s a big decision so let me know when you’ve had time to think on it’.
“She said yes about 3 weeks later, after a number of conversations about what we’d do ‘if we get married’.
“Funny thing was, I thought it was a ‘fish or cut bait’ moment when I proposed. She was actually caught completely off guard, so it’s probably a good thing that I didn’t make some dramatic, public proposal.”
Although each proposal story is unique, the common threads of love, commitment, and a sense of hope for the future are all too common.
Simply recalling such moments can bring back the joy and excitement of that special day, and also serve as a reminder of the love and support that has remained consistent throughout the years.
Whether it was a grand gesture or a simple moment between two people in love, the proposal serves as a testament to the enduring power of love, and can be cherished and celebrated for years to come.