Emily Maynard has had a turbulent season on “The Bachelorette”, facing guys who would rather insult her parenting than plan a nice date with her, among other things. But it seems she finally found a good guy within the large group who came to the show looking for love, even if she did make him wait for a very important answer.

When suitor Jef Holm got down on bended knee to pop the big question, Maynard says she was so shocked she couldn’t speak right away, which worried viewers as well as Holm.

“By far the longest few moments of my life. I felt like I was sitting down there forever,” Holm said. “It was a big decision and I hadn’t told anyone I was going to propose to her…It came as a shock to her, totally.”

Maynard says she wasn’t prepared for it, but should have been.

“It was kind of a surprise because we’ve never really talked about an engagement, even though I should have known,” Maynard said. “Really I just wanted to soak in the moment and really make a decision for my heart…Take in the moment and remember it.”

While reality television romances usually don’t last long, the couple seems confident they’ll be the exception to the rule. Holm is already planning his move to North Carolina–where Maynard lives with her 6-year old son–and thinking about their future together.

“I’m going to get a separate place there,” Holm said. “We’re going to combine our lives and I’m going to hang out with Ricki, 6, all the time and become a car pool dad. We’re just going to live our lives together and get accustomed with each other, plan a wedding, and when we get married, move in together.”