He was confused about how to propose to a partner who never gets surprised — his rock climbing move pulled it off perfectly
A proposal is meant to be special and personal, something that will be cherished and remembered for life. A man named Xavier Almodovar was keen to make this moment a blissful one for his girlfriend, Liliana Inkpen, according to PEOPLE. However, he struggled to plan this proposal as she was not easy to surprise. Finally, after much planning, the heartfelt moment took place on April 20, 2026, when Almodovar finally managed to surprise Inkpen in a way she did not expect. And it worked like magic.
The man was thinking hard about how to propose in a way that would steal her heart, without raising any suspicion. His unexpected move came from a simple idea that turned into something creative and meaningful. Instead of choosing a typical setting, he planned something linked to their shared interests and brought in close friends to help him set everything up. He decided to pop the question while doing something they loved most — rock climbing. At Climb Nittany in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, he arranged the climbing holds to form the words "Marry Me?" "This was one place she wouldn't be suspicious," Almodovar remarked.
The couple had been together for over six years, starting their relationship in high school. Almodovar knew he had to be particular about the proposal since his partner knew him very well and would be able to call out the moment beforehand. He admitted, “I felt super nervous. I knew she was going to say yes, but I still wanted the moment to be magical for her,” which showed the care behind it all. After entering, he told her that he had planned a special route for her. In the next few moments, she was led to the big question, and she was caught off guard. Inkpen described her reaction by saying, “I felt shocked and excited. I didn't have any thoughts other than I needed to say yes!”
It is often said that the most meaningful gestures are the ones that reflect shared journeys, and this moment showed how thoughtful effort can turn an ordinary setting into something unforgettable. The couple is stoked as they look ahead to their future together. With graduation approaching, they are preparing for a new chapter in their lives. Some proposals truly take the surprise to a whole different level. In another wholesome incident, a swimmer’s trip became unforgettable when her partner planned a surprise underwater proposal. The couple had been traveling together, and he knew it was the perfect time. “I have known since the first summer with her that I wanted to propose underwater," he recalled. As they dove in, he brought out a ring box with a shark tooth as a placeholder, instead of a ring. That was enough to prove she had found the one. “I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to share life with," she said.