It was supposed to be a perfect Friday night. A guy I had been seeing for a few weeks asked me out to the movies — casual, simple, sweet. He went to get the tickets while I stood in line for snacks. When I asked the girl at the counter for some candy, she handed me a large tub of popcorn instead.

Before I could say anything, she leaned in slightly and whispered, “Careful.” I frowned, confused, but she gave me a quick look that made me pause. I took the popcorn and met him inside the theater.

As we sat down and the lights dimmed, I reached into the tub. My hand brushed against something cold and metallic. I froze. Pulling my hand out slowly, I realized what it was — a ring box.

My heart raced. I turned toward him, and there he was — already on one knee, with the biggest grin on his face. The girl at the counter was in on it all along. The whisper, the look, the strange switch — it was part of his plan.

I never expected a movie date to turn into our love story’s opening scene. And yes, I said yes — right there between the previews and the popcorn.