Every story is different, and every married couple has one. Getting engaged is one of the most monumental moments of your life.

Some men devise elaborate, jaw-dropping plans, while others bring it up in casual conversation. Most of us fall somewhere in between.

I think it’s important that the engagement matches the relationship.

If Zach would have shown up in a hot air balloon with a six piece orchestra, it wouldn’t have been natural. I honestly don’t understand how some engagement stories could feel natural. No, it’s not everyday you propose, but sir, that mid-air, skydive proposal with the doves feels like a bit much.

It’s about time that I shared my proposal story with you. Some of you may know it, and others probably could have predicted it because it was so fitting. Zach has always paid the closest attention to my details, and his proposal embodied this quality.

We lived in New York at the time, and we had been long awaiting our vacation. After spending a week in Nashville for my brother’s wedding, we headed to Arkansas to be with his family. Before I proceed, you have to understand how relaxing it is to be home with Zach. His family is warm and relaxed, and our time together consists of a lot of… nothing. And food. It is wonderful.

I was completely unwound that day. All of the stresses of New York were behind us. Zach and I woke up slow, had a delicious breakfast, and headed to the pool. We enjoyed Sonic Sweet Tea and Grilled Cheeses and relaxed at home for the rest of the day. I was in a good place. We relax so well together.

Zach then suggested that we go outside to the porch swing. It wasn’t an out of the ordinary suggestion, and it seemed to fit rather well into our day of relaxation and indulgence. So we went outside and talked for almost an hour before he told me he would be right back. Not “I’m going to the bathroom” or “let me grab my phone” but he’ll be right back.

I was immediately suspicious. And then I sat on it for about a minute, then two. Is he about to propose?

He then walked outside with his guitar. He sat on the ground across from me on the porch and said, “I wrote a song for you, and I want you to hear it.”

There’s absolutely nothing more romantic than having a song written just for you. I’ve always dreamt about getting engaged, but I didn’t think this would ever happen. As a songwriter and a music fanatic I was dumbfounded. It actually happened.

So he sang me a song he had written about our relationship. Every detail made me smile, and the melody was enchanting. I got teary eyed, and before I knew it, he was singing, “if tonight you just say yes…”

He set his guitar down slowly, pulled a little box out of the case, and came over to me. He got on his knee and started telling me all of the reasons why he wanted to marry me. I can’t remember every word, but I remember his shaky hands and the way he was looking at me. “Will you marry me?”

I said yes, and the night went on.

Getting engaged is so much fun, especially when it’s feels so natural. My husband did an excellent job of knowing what I would want, and I am so thankful that he did. It fit so perfectly into our story.

Oh, and the ring was perfect too.