park bench A park bench is sometimes more than just a place to sit, but a place for couples to talk about starting a life together

A park bench has always been a popular place to sit and hang out, but for many couples, benches hold a special place in their relationship.

Take Ryan Macedo and his wife Carla. After meeting on a plane, the Seattle couple immediately hit it off and started to date. In fact, they each privately told their family "this could be the one."

Ryan didn't take long to make his move. But he wanted his proposal to be special.

He and his family were big Disney fans and he had many fond memories of vacations spent there.

So he thought, why not propose at The Magic Kingdom? His original plan was to propose at the Beast Library, but it was too crowded. (Sounds like he was better off).

Ryan decided he would make his pitch during the fireworks show later that night. But he didn't like the location where they were standing.

concrete bench Couple on a concrete bench

He then talked his way into the VIP section, found a park bench and that's where the matrimonial magic took place.

With fireworks bursting in the background, an ecstatic Carla accepted Ryan's request to be his bride.

Later after they were married, Ryan decided he wanted to make that park bench a special birthday gift to his wife.

He called Disney and said, "I have a crazy question" and told them of his plan.

Eventually, he found the right person who would listen to his plea. Workers at the theme park disassembled the park bench and shipped it off to him.

To add the right touch, he installed a plaque that reads: "Once upon a time in a magical kingdom in front of an enchanted castle, on this very bench on July 18, 2016, Ryan asked Carla to be his bride."

"Fireworks shot through the sky with tears in her eyes. Carla said yes. Ryan was overcome with joy and they lived happily ever after."

A blindfolded Carla was led to the bench. When she opened her eyes, she saw it was the exact bench from the proposal. She was elated and in tears once again.

Asked how he is going to top the last event, Ryan replied, "I'll have to buy the plane we met on."

Park bench is a favorite spot for proposals

Another suitor conducted a similar approach on a bench at Disney with his girlfriend.

One day, Chris and Courtney went to Disneyland to celebrate their fourth anniversary together. Since it was Halloween, they decided to dress in costume as Cinderella and Prince Charming.

Chris asked Courtney to sit on one of the park benches, close her eyes and make a wish. When she opened them, Chris' brother walked up in costume with a real glass slipper on a purple pillow.

Chris said, "I'm here to present Cinderella with her glass slipper."

She put the slipper on and it fit perfectly.

Chris then said, "Happy anniversary babe." But the special event wasn't over.

His brother turned over the pillow to reveal a ring. Chris then got down on one knee and proposed. After she accepted, her parents, his family and their friends all walked up to celebrate.

"It was the best day of my life," Courtney remembered.

Several colleges have special romantic benches on campus

As everybody knows, a park bench can be a special place. They provide a way for people to relax outdoors in beautiful surroundings, breathing fresh air under a giant blue canopy. A bench is a great place to read a book, talk with a friend or just contemplate the universe.

How many times have benches been the gathering place for romantic get-togethers? How many couples sat on benches and discussed future plans for their lives together.

At Loyola University, one bench was so popular it gained a reputation as a "sweetheart bench."

The wooden bench is located near a bluff between Sacred Heart Chapel and Xavier Hall. Legend has it many young men have bent their knee at this location and asked for their girlfriend's hand in marriage.

wooden bench Couple on a wooden bench

Well, they were not all necessarily young men. A 71-year-old man recently proposed to his girlfriend of the same age that he once knew in high school. It's never too late to fall in love on a park bench.

The Loyola legend reportedly started in the 1930s when a football star proposed to his girlfriend on the bench. They later went on to raise a family of 11.

There's a plaque there as well.

"Occupancy by couples of marriageable age with a reasonable expectancy that their present relationship may lead to matrimony and that in this beautiful setting they may seriously discuss matters of mutual interest."

Several college campuses boast they have "kissing benches."

At Northern Illinois University, the legend has it that a female freshman won't graduate until she is kissed by an upperclassman on a special bench.

Florida State University in Tallahassee has a similar bench…also with a plaque.

"If this bench could talk, oh the stories it would tell, of kisses young and old, if you sit, beware the spell…"

Like we said, a simple park bench in combination with Mother Nature (and the help of Walt Disney), can possess almost mystical, supernatural powers. Just ask all the couples who started their lives together sitting on one.