She pretended to propose as an inside joke — then he got down on one knee for real

While some proposals are mapped out over weeks with detailed planning, carefully chosen settings, and rehearsed words, others unfold in the middle of an ordinary moment, unplanned and unscripted, yet no less unforgettable for the people involved. A video shared by @jordanboltondesign on Instagram shows how her 'joke proposal' to her boyfriend turned into a real engagement within a matter of minutes.

It begins with her getting down on one knee, smiling as she takes his hand, while the overlay reads, "Me proposing to my man as a joke moments before." He laughs, pulls her into a hug, and even says "yes" excitedly, fully aware it’s a joke, but leaning into it anyway. Just moments later, the tone shifts when he reaches into his pocket, holds up a red box, and starts to kneel, at first joking, "What if I just," with a laugh. But then he stays there, one knee to the ground, ring box open, and no longer joking. The video closes with them holding each other again, this time for real, as she says, 'Yes!' What started as a joke turned into a real proposal with almost no time in between. In the caption, Boyman explains that being "'just friends' didn’t work out." 

Viewers were in awe of the unplanned yet beautiful proposal and couldn't help but comment on the immaculate timing. @jennifer.wirth13 said, "I am so glad roommates and friends didn't work out. That goalie needs a spectator partner, and you are everything he needs." @amaninbrussels wrote, "The way he yeeted that box lmao. 'Won’t be needing this anymore, you have a new home now.'"

@anna_lureads shared, "I have rewatched this so many times!! It’s the blueprint for all future proposals. Congratulations, roommate finally locked it down!!!!" @faiiry.j commented, "'Yessss' seemed like 'we are on the same page!! She’ll say yes!' May this love find us all!" @goooddaybay added, "Omg he is so precious with this 'what if I just!!' Love love love." @giuliatrantonelli chimed in, "Respectfully, that box throw was extremely attractive. Congratulations!"

While this proposal unfolded in the middle of a shared joke and came together without much lead time, another was mapped out in the sky with weeks of planning and a flight path that spelled out every word of the question. In Kansas, pilot Terry Williamson proposed to his girlfriend Taylor Burcham by flying his Bonanza P-35 aircraft in a route that formed the message “Will you marry me, Taylor?” across the radar. The act took nearly two hours to complete and was visible in real time on tracking apps, which Burcham checks routinely when he’s in the air. That day, while working a shift at her local coffee shop, she looked up the route and saw the full message take shape.

Williamson later said that the plan was more difficult than expected, especially with the sharp turns required to form each word, but the result made it worth it. The couple shares a deep connection with aviation, and Burcham said the proposal felt fitting for who they are. "Of course, I did say yes," she told local news, adding that they’ve already discussed including aviation in the ceremony.

You can follow Tessa Boyman (@tessaboyman) for more lifestyle content.