NATCHEZ &045; It was the perfect proposal that almost wasn’t.

On Saturday morning, Amanda Stricklin of Vidalia thought she was just going up for a hot air balloon ride with her boyfriend, Ryan Wingfield. She didn’t know he had been planning for a year to pop the question in a hot air balloon.

And he almost missed his chance when the balloon they were assigned during that morning’s flight couldn’t accommodate two people plus the pilot.

Luckily, the balloon right next to the launch site could &045; and that pilot’s sponsors had not shown up.

&uot;It was a blessing,&uot; Stricklin said. &uot;Everything fell into place.&uot;

Once they were up in the air, Stricklin was enjoying the view. Crowded in the tiny basket, she was surprised when her boyfriend put his hand on her shoulder in front of the pilot.

&uot;He said our relationship’s like a hot air balloon ride,&uot; Stricklin recalled. That’s when she realized she was in for more than just a balloon ride.

Wingfield couldn’t get down on one knee, but he did present her with a beautiful ring.

&uot;He popped the ring out, and I just started boo-hooing,&uot; Stricklin said.

By the time they landed at the airport, both families &045; who were in on the plans &045; were waiting along with friends to congratulate them.