Eternity is not something to be taken lightly.

For students thinking of proposing marriage to their loved one, a simple, heartfelt approach is key, according to The Knot’s Web site.

Dan Boger, senior in mechanical engineering, realized his girlfriend of seven months, Kaitlin Walmsley, senior in psychology, was the one for him and when the time was right, he proposed.

“Kaitlin was studying abroad in Wales during the spring 2008 semester. I got accepted to study abroad in Germany during the summer, so I flew out to Wales to visit her for a week,” Boger said.

“I brought the ring to Wales, and when we were out at the beach we were having a drink and talking,” Boger said, “I decided that it was the right moment, and I proposed to her and she said ‘yes.’”

The Knot recommends picking a location meaningful to both of you — whether it’s the site of your first date or a favorite bench in the park.

Stephanie Stephen, senior in finance, got engaged to Trevor Harkema, ISU alumnus in graphic design, on Sept. 2.

“I was in a night class and my best friend picked me up and we went out for dessert,” Stephen said. “When we were on our way back to my sorority house, we noticed that all the lights were out, but I didn’t think anything of it.”

“The stairs were lit with candles and there were signs on the steps asking me to marry him. When I got to the top of the steps, Trevor came out to the front door and got down on one knee and asked me to marry him,”

“Then the lights in my house came on and all the girls in my house were cheering for us,” Stephen said.

Stephen and Harkema have set a wedding date for next spring.

“It is difficult being engaged in college because Trevor lives in Minneapolis and the distance is really hard,” Stephen said.

Art Miller, jewelry consultant at Zales, 101 Jordan Creek Pkwy in Des Moines, helps customers purchase engagement rings.

“The average diamond size that I see college guys buying is around three-quarters of a carat, typically in a solitaire princess cut setting. That will typically run you at around $1,500 to 2,000.”

“White gold is becoming increasingly popular,” Miller added.

Miller has heard many proposal stories from customers. The most creative proposal story came from a college student, who took his girlfriend up in a hot air balloon and proposed to her overlooking the city.

Candace Huffman, senior in journalism and mass communication, was living in Aspen with her boyfriend of five years when they got engaged.

“During August, we went on a 16-mile hike to Conundrum Hot Springs and camped out above it,” Huffman said. “We later kept hiking and when we got to the top, we were in a field of wild flowers.

“When we were overlooking the entire valley in the wild flowers, my boyfriend proposed to me.”

“It was really special because later that night there was a meteor shower,” Huffman added.