George Clooney’s proposal story is more hilarious than you might think. While it’s hard to imagine, there was a time when the 59-year-old actor and his boss love Amal, 43, weren’t officially a power pair. In fact, before George proposed, they hadn’t even discussed marriage! The A-lister detailed how he popped the question during one of Howard Stern’s famously long and luscious radio chats this week. Apparently it involved a safari, his famous Aunt and a whole lot of waiting.

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George and Amal were enjoying scenic Safari views in Africa when he realized he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. So, as soon as they got home he started prepping. “I’ve got a ring, I’ve got it all setup - I’m ready,” he said. “I’ve got my Aunt Rosemary’s soundtrack and I’ve got it all timed out so I’m going to ask her on this one song,” he added referring to his relative’s song “Why Shouldn’t I.”

“We’ve never talked about marriage, so I don’t know what’s going to happen,” George continued, grappling with the chance that she might say no. When Amal arrived that evening, he had candles lit, food made and a ring hidden in a drawer nearby. The song was quickly coming on the already-playing soundtrack, so George told Amal to check for a lighter in the drawer.

“She opens the drawer and there’s a ring in it,” he said, “and she looks in it and goes, ‘no, but there’s a ring.’ Like, somebody else had left a ring there ten years ago.” By this time, George was down on one knee. Amal was so shocked that it took her 20 minutes to answer the question. He knows that because of the playing soundtrack!

“I’m panicking - sweat down the back!” George said. “Finally, I said to her, ‘Look, I just need a yes or a no because I’m 50-something and my hip can go out.’” Lucky she said yes and George was able to get back up.