Look, I’m not crying. You’re crying.
What started as a regular Sunday dodgeball tournament in 2016 turned into the kind of moment that reminds you why gay love is worth every damn fight we’ve had to wage for it.
When Angelo walked into that gym, he had no clue he was about to become half of one of the most heartwarming proposal videos that would rack up more than 3 million views – and still makes us reach for tissues nearly a decade later.
As the video begins, everything seems normal – just another competitive day at the courts (with a sprinkle of dancing… wait, that’s not what dodgeball is?).
Then suddenly, Angelo’s friends storm the floor and start dancing to songs that clearly mean something special to him.
You can literally see the “What the hell?” expression on his face slowly transform into “Oh my god, is this happening?”
But wait. It gets better.
Around the 3:45 mark, Angelo’s boyfriend – Mike – appears – suit, tie, and all – joining the dancers with that nervous energy that says “I’ve practiced this a thousand times but I’m still terrified.”
When Angelo realizes what’s happening, he completely loses it. Not cute movie-crying with a single perfect tear, but real, messy, can’t-catch-your-breath sobbing that hits you right in the chest.
Then the music shifts to Bruno Mars’ “Marry You” (because was there any other proposal song in the 2010s?), and Angelo is just gone – emotional wreckage in the best possible way.
Mike guides his boyfriend to the center of it all, flowers in hand, before dropping to one knee with a ring. “This was all for you. You mean the world to me,” he says, voice shaking. “I love you.” Simple words that clearly contain everything.
The video ends with an exchange that just feels so real:
Mike: “Get a picture with me.”
Angelo: “I’m a mess.”
Mike: “I know. But you’re MY mess.”
While we don’t have the full scoop on where their journey has taken them since that day, Mike’s Instagram profile says “Husband” – which gives us hope that they’re still creating their happily-ever-after somewhere.
In a community that knows the value of love because we’ve had to fight so hard for it, videos like this aren’t just cute content – they’re validation.
Nine years and 3 million views later, this dodgeball tournament proposal still reminds us why we keep showing up, loving loudly, and refusing to dim our light for anyone.