“You…what?” I blink as my smile falters, unsure if I heard you right.

I’m still down on one knee, the sun over the private beach behind our rental setting and casting pink-orange hues over us. The ring box is still open in my hand with the diamond sparkling, and your dress is flowing in the breeze along with your hair. You look beautiful, as always, and the situation is exactly how I’d planned out my ideal proposal.

Except for you staring at me like a deer in headlights for a solid two minutes before saying no.

No? No? We’ve been together for just over 3 years, you’re the longest constant in my life outside of the craziness of the band, and with us going hiatus in a few months I figured it was perfect timing for us to move our relationship even higher. I don’t care if I’m 21. You’re the love of my life, and I can’t imagine not having you for the rest of…well, forever.

Clearly, I thought you felt the same.