A year later, Ben enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was shipped off to work on the ocean as an AAV Crew Chief for the next four years. During their relationship at the beach, Macey and Ben spent much time because he was permanently stationed near the water. So, naturally, he proposed at the beach. They had a good friend who was a professional photographer in the area where Ben was stationed. Ben had reached out to her months before his plans to propose. He knew Macey wanted pictures of their proposal someday, so he ensured it was just that. Ben knew Macey would be suspicious if he made plans to get photos taken, so he had their friend reach out to her and offer a “free photo session” at the beach to help train her new assistant, to which she said yes. They planned it for the next trip Macey would take to come down and visit. She picked out their outfits, got herself all done (nails done, of course), and met up at the beach. While taking some photos, the photographer pulled Macey aside for some pictures of her “for training purposes” while Ben was kneeling behind her. Afterward, the photographer told Macey to turn around, and she just saw him there on one knee with the cheesiest look on his face and the most beautiful ring in his hands. Macey started bawling, and she honestly couldn’t tell you what he said then. But she was ecstatic that they were finally engaged in front of the beautiful ocean and that she got to officially spend the rest of her life with the person she loved most. It was the best day ever.