The sun was just beginning to set, painting the sky with warm hues of pink and orange as you stood on the edge of the lake with Anna, your girlfriend of five years. The world around you seemed to blur, the only sound you could focus on being the soft rustle of the breeze and the gentle lapping of the water. Anna’s laughter filled the air as you recounted a funny memory from your high school days, her smile lighting up the moment just as it always had.

You took a deep breath, the small velvet box in your pocket weighing heavily against your palm. The moment you had envisioned for years was finally here. “Anna,” you began, your voice a little shaky but full of love. She turned to you, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“What’s up?” she asked, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

You dropped to one knee, the small box now open to reveal a glistening ring inside. Her eyes widened in shock, and her hand flew to her mouth. “Anna,” you said, your voice steady now, “you’ve been my best friend, my rock, and the love of my life for five years. I can’t imagine spending another day without you by my side. Will you marry me?”

Tears welled up in her eyes as she nodded vigorously, unable to speak for a moment. Finally, she managed to say, “Yes! Of course, yes!”

You slipped the ring onto her finger, your heart racing as you stood and pulled her into a tight embrace. She held onto you like you were her entire world, and in that moment, you knew that you had just taken the first step toward a lifetime of happiness together.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the two of you stayed there by the lake, basking in the joy of your engagement, dreaming of the future you were about to build together.