Country music star Cole Swindell delighted his 1.5 million Instagram followers on Monday with the big news that he popped the question to Courtney Little, a former Charlotte Hornets dancer and 2017 Miss Teen North Carolina.
The romantic Swindell was determined to propose at the location of their unofficial first date. The challenge was how to get his girlfriend to the remote site — a farm in rural Tennessee.
Swindell convinced his now-fiancée that the tour bus they were riding on Sunday afternoon was heading to the dress rehearsals for today's 2023 Academy of Country Music Awards in Frisco, TX, where he is scheduled perform and is nominated in five categories, including song and single of the year for “She Had Me at Heads Carolina."
But instead of heading southwest toward Dallas, the tour bus turned north toward Orlinda, a rural town where Swindell shot his 2021 music video for "Some Habits," and the spot where he first laid eyes on Little, who played his love interest in the video.
Swindell led Little along a gravel drive, where he got down on one knee and proposed with a beautiful oval-cut diamond engagement ring. The solitaire is set with four prongs on a simple gold band. The singer explained in an Instagram post that most of the details are foggy because he was overcome with emotion.
"Still couldn't tell ya everything I said down on one knee," the 39-year-old country singer wrote. "All I know is she said 'YES'! We're so excited!"
Swindell's photographer, Cody Arrington, was hiding in the tall grass, capturing images of the special moment that both Swindell and Little shared on their respective Instagram pages.
Little wrote, "Woke up as future Mrs. Swindell I've never been so happy! I can't believe we are ENGAGED!!!!!"
Later on her Instagram Story, the 24-year-old Little, who currently co-owns The Little Sisters Boutique, gave a shout out to everyone who sent best wishes.
"Feeling SO overwhelmed with love!!!" she wrote. "Thank you thank you thank you to everyone that has reached out and congratulated us on our engagement. I've truly never been so happy and I'm trying to soak in every moment. God is sooooo good! AHHHH WE ARE ENGAGED!!!"
Swindell told people.com that weeks before the proposal he had asked Little's dad for permission.
"That's probably the most nervous I've ever been because he's such a great man," Swindell told the celebrity mag. "I can't wait to be part of her family."
The ACM Awards will stream live on Amazon Prime Video tonight, May 11, at 7 pm ET.
Credits: Images via instagram/coleswindell, instagram/courtney0little.