Cee Lo Green and his longtime girlfriend Shani James are engaged. While working on his upcoming music video, “Work,” he dished about his proposal to People magazine.

“It was just a typical night at the studio, but then again, not so typical cause I did something extra special, out of the ordinary,” he said.

“I went and purchased a ring that we had seen together, maybe four or five months or so prior. I went back and purchased the ring and I just kind of had it stashed away in some old equipment. And I said, ‘Will you reach in there and grab something for me?” he explained.

Cee Lo Green had the ring strategically hidden in a most creative way.

.@CeeLoGreen kept his engagement a secret but details the (lovely) proposal https://t.co/jFDrdhKY2m pic.twitter.com/WXiMYDl0dm

— People magazine (@people) October 24, 2015

“It was the most beautiful diamond ring I had ever seen in my life. It was lit up by a light,” Shani James said. “I said, ‘What is that?’ He just looked at me and said, ‘Well…?’ And I was just like ‘Oh my goodness.'”

“I said, ‘Babe, I can’t believe it.’ He said, ‘You’ve been such a good woman. You’re such and amazing person. You’re my life partner. You’re my best friend. I want to share the rest of my life with you,'” she added.

Here’s the funny part of the engagement. Cee Lo Green and Shani James got engaged a year ago. Both fiercely protective of their private lives, they didn’t share the news with anyone other than family members and very close friends at the time.

“Truth be told, it’s not something we wanted to promote ,” Cee Lo said. “We’re a collective power together because our private life is sacred. But you know what though, maybe it’s time. Maybe it is time for the world to know that I have a very secure situation and a loving woman supporting me the entire way.”

Big news! @CeeLoGreen will release his new album #HeartBlanche next month, get the details: http://t.co/JIhla1VZUc pic.twitter.com/iPl9bfcICH

— hmv (@hmvtweets) October 19, 2015

This will be a second marriage for Cee Lo Green. He was married before to Christina Johnson. A former coach on The Voice, he believes he has found the perfect woman this time around.

“I appreciate her openness and willingness to love unconditionally ,” he says. “She’s been so sweet to me through a number of different trials that come to test the resilience of a union to deem whether it’s worthy or not, whether it’s durable or strong enough.”

Congratulations–a year late–are certainly in order for Cee Lo Green and Shani James. Fans can check out Cee Lo Green’s upcoming music video, “Work,” when it premieres on November 9th.