Matt Hartman's proposal to his fiancée Lis began the way most of these insufferable public displays of affections often do.

He stood atop a rock just off the shore of Laguna beach, and performed a song he had written especially for this occasion.

Then he invited his one true love to join him on his ocean-kissed pedestal, took out a ring, got down on one knee, and asked her to do him the honor of sharing her life with him for all eternity.

Just then, Neptune hurled, and the two were cast out of the waters along with their perfect moment.

Fortunately — or unfortunately depending on how deep-seated your schadenfreude is — the ring was spared the Sea God's wrath, and Lis ultimately said yes.

And now they have a proposal story that's actually worth telling, along with some pretty sweet engagement photos.

[H/T: HyperVocal, 22words]