We Got Engaged! Our Surprise Proposal Story | The Perfect Moment Wasn’t Planned

What happens when you stop waiting for the perfect moment and realize you’re already living it?

We’re engaged!

In this special episode of Patio Talks, Gissell and Charleston are stepping away from their usual thought-provoking conversations to celebrate something personal: their engagement!

What started as a simple staycation turned into a night neither of them will ever forget.

After weeks of secretly carrying an engagement ring, rehearsing what to say, and searching for the perfect setting, Charleston found himself struggling with one question: How do you put into words how much someone means to you?

And when the hotel TV wouldn’t cooperate, dinner didn’t go exactly as planned, and the evening unfolded like any other ordinary night, something unexpected happened.

The moment finally felt right.

For the first time, Charleston shares what was going through his mind before proposing, including the moment he almost proposed at a bowling alley and why he ultimately decided against it.

Gissell shares her completely unexpected reaction, the overwhelming warmth she felt when Charleston got down on one knee, and the strange déjà vu experience they both remember from that night.

But the conversation doesn’t end with the proposal.

They also discuss what being engaged means to each of them, how their relationship has grown through shared experiences, and why they chose to keep their exciting news private for a little while.

And when life started pulling them straight back into work, responsibilities, and their many projects, Charleston made a decision: they needed to slow down and actually enjoy what had just happened.

This isn’t an episode about having the perfect relationship, planning the perfect wedding, or giving relationship advice.

It’s about two people sharing a happy moment, remembering how it happened, and celebrating the next chapter they’re building together.

Because sometimes the most unforgettable moments aren’t the ones we plan. They’re the ones we simply allow ourselves to experience.

Pull up a chair and celebrate with us!

In This Episode

• Why Charleston spent weeks searching for the perfect way to propose
• The staycation that unexpectedly became their engagement night
• The almost-proposal at a bowling alley
• Why imperfect little moments helped Charleston make his decision
• Gissell’s surprise, tears, warmth, and unexpected déjà vu
• Why both felt as though they had experienced the proposal before
• What engagement and marriage mean to each of them
• How their time traveling and working together strengthened their relationship
• Why they kept their engagement private before sharing the news
• Charleston’s decision to take a week away from their projects to celebrate
• Learning to enjoy meaningful milestones instead of immediately rushing to the next responsibility

Today’s Patio Question

Have you ever had an ordinary moment turn into a memory you’ll carry forever?

Before you go, here’s one more question:

What’s an ordinary moment in your life that turned into a memory you’ll never forget?

We’d love to hear your story.

About Patio Talks

Patio Talks is a weekly conversational podcast hosted by Gissell Colon and Charleston Tubbs, where every episode begins with one meaningful question.

Together, they explore real-life experiences, relationships, family, identity, boundaries, leadership, purpose, and personal growth through honest conversations that invite listeners to think differently about their own lives.

No pretending to have all the answers—just two perspectives, lived experiences, and conversations that often lead somewhere neither of them expected.

Because sometimes the right question changes everything.

Support Patio Talks ☕

If Patio Talks has made you think, reflect, laugh, or see something in your own life differently, you can support the show through Buy Me a Coffee.

https://buymeacoffee.com/patiotalks

Thank you for being part of our patio community!

Disclaimer

The views and experiences shared on Patio Talks are based on our personal lives, observations, and opinions. We are not licensed therapists, counselors, medical professionals, or legal advisors. Nothing shared in this episode should be considered professional advice. Our goal is simply to share conversations, experiences, and perspectives that invite reflection.