VIDEO: The same border that has kept them apart has brought them together

A Sault, Ontario woman says her American boyfriend thought of the perfect place to propose to her when he surprised her with a ring recently on the International Bridge.

The proposal was made recently, during the International Festival of Races in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Carmela Taranto said her fiance had participated in the run last year, and asked her to join him.

“He was like, ‘It will be fun to do it. It’s on the bridge, you’re from the Sault and I have been here for four years,” Taranto.

The 10-kilometer race, which crosses the border on the International Bridge, was selected in advance by her now-fiancé Grant Chrispin.

The couple first met in 2013 in Sault, Michigan, while Chrispin was serving in the military.

They have maintained a long-distance relationship since Chrispin moved back to his Ohio hometown about a year and a half ago.

“Oh my god, it’s so hard. I don’t wish it on anybody. Long distance sucks,” said Taranto.

Thank God for FaceTime video chats, she said, which allows the couple to see each other every day.

"But it’s not the same as being together,” she adds.

It was much more convenient when her boyfriend was a quick border crossing away.

“Never in a million years did we ever think we would be dating someone from the other country. It’s been great,” said Taranto.

That’s why she thinks it is awesome Chrispin put so much thought into the proposal, which occurred on the actual border line, the imaginary line that crosses through the middle section of the bridge, separating the two countries.

“I don’t think he could have planned it out any more perfectly. It makes sense on the bridge, two countries coming together,” said Taranto.

Now she has started planning the upcoming wedding, which will be held in the United States.

“We are trying to gather our paperwork and figure out what the best way of doing it is," she said.

Peter Petainen, International Bridge Administration general manager, said it is the only proposal he knows of at that spot on the bridge in the 15 years he has been there.

“In this case, you have an American and a Canadian getting engaged. There’s special meaning for the location,” said Petainen.

He said there has been two proposals that he knows of made at the tops of the archways, which are sometimes open for tours.

In one of those instances, the man making the proposal at the top of the arch pretended to drop the ring, Petainen recalls.

Petainen said that Chrispin called in advance to ask permission and to make sure the proposal was allowed at that spot.

“This is a good opportunity, especially for two runners. It’s the perfect venue, the perfect event, the perfect opportunity in the best location," said Petainen.

Taranto said both his and her families were waiting on the American side of the bridge to congratulate the couple on their engagement.

“Everybody knew, except for me,” Taranto said.

Her sister Samantha posted a video of the proposal, tagging Ellen Degeneres in hopes the popular TV host will feature it on her show.

Taranto said she and her sister watch the show every day and it would be great if her sister's efforts pay off.

"Oh my god, it would be amazing," she said.