CMT Next Women of Country member Julia Cole and baseball player Marshall "Kaz" Kasowski recently got engaged in paradise.

Kasowski, who is a pitcher for The Dodgers, popped the question while on vacation in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, over the holidays, People reports. The quick-thinking athlete hired a photographer to pose on the beach as a photographer taking pictures of tourists. The photographer approached Cole, and she declined. Kasowski cajoled her into the plan.

"I finally agreed to the short photoshoot with Kaz and after a couple of photos, the photographer asked me to pose by myself for a few shots," Cole told PEOPLE. "Little did I know, Kaz was behind me, dropping down to one knee. When he told me to turn around, I immediately started crying the happiest tears and said, 'Yes!' to forever."

2022 was already a milestone year for Cole. In addition to being named one of CMT's Next Women of Country,  she made her Grand Ole Opry debut, released a new song every Friday and finished the year with more than 100 million streams. 

"I had no idea it was possible for a day to top my Opry debut, but when I saw the love of my life down on one knee, I straight up ugly-cried," she told People.

The couple met when they were three years old, and Kasowski said he kissed her for the first time at 7 years old. 

"It took me almost two decades, but I finally got a second kiss," he said. 

The two have been friends for more than 25 years. 

"There was always a connection between us," Kasowski said. "Despite our busy careers, thankfully, the stars aligned for us again."

Cole called it "fate" that they ran into each other again.

"We both happened to be in Houston for a day," she explained. "I was singing the anthem for the Texans, and Kaz had just finished his season two days prior. It was a miracle we were in the same place that night."