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In today's episode of "how did we get here", a Redditor has gone viral after sharing how he accidentally "proposed" to his girlfriend at a homeware retail store

Posting under the username u/WallInternational103 in the subreddit r/tifu — which stands for "Today I F#cked Up" — the man recounted how he cracked a joke about getting married while shopping for a new shower head.The couple was roleplaying as "boring suburban homeowners" when he said, "I just want to build a life with you and maybe tile a backsplash someday."His girlfriend laughed and said it almost sounded like a proposal, so naturally, this man did what any dramatic idiot might do: he grabbed a washer ring, got down on one knee in the middle of the aisle, and fake proposed.Only… she said yes. Misty eyes. Voice trembling. A full, heartfelt "Oh my God, yes."Panicking but committed to the bit, he didn't correct her.Now? There's a group chat. The families know. They're "engaged".

I still haven't told her it wasn't real. man

Image for illustration purposes only.

Image via Gemini Advanced

The post has since gone viral with over 14,000 upvotes and an avalanche of comments, equal parts amused and horrified

Some commenters believe she's in on the joke and was just calling his bluff: "Maybe she knew you were joking and now you're both playing high-stakes marriage chicken," one user quipped.Others, less optimistic, advised him to come clean immediately before the fake engagement turns into a real wedding: "Buddy, if you don't want this, you gotta rip this bandaid off NOW."But some offered stories of hope. Several users chimed in with their own tales of accidental proposals that turned into lifelong marriages, including one couple that's been together for 48 years."Something SORT OF like that happened to me... I told my girlfriend maybe we can talk about marriage after she graduates. She took it as a proposal. The wedding planning started immediately. We got married 1.5 years later and it's been nearly 30 years. I still remind her sometimes that I never really proposed," said one user.Another user, u/LankyGuitar6528, chimed in with an even longer-running "oops"."My girlfriend's dad introduced us to a discount jewellery guy. She picked out a ring, I paid, and... we were engaged. Wait, what!? That was 48 years ago. She's been a fantastic wife. I couldn't have done better if I picked my own."So, maybe it's not such a disaster after all?