Jill's Journal: Is Chick-fil-A really the place to ‘put a ring on it?’

“Does she really know the joy of a Big Mac, French fries and a Coke?”

That was one of the lines I heard a good friend from years ago say again and again when she spied some skinny little thing bopping by with a carrot stick in hand. And then, we’d laugh and go on with whatever silly conversation we may have been giggling over before “Barbie” stepped into the picture.

Her (in)famous quote came to mind last week when the headline of a press release that showed up in my email caught my attention: “Poll finds South Dakota men say Chick-fil-A is the perfect place to propose.”

I laughed. Then I read the list out-loud to the staff, and they laughed with me. The light-hearted read came compliments of ACE.com, and their survey of 3,020 South Dakota men. The question they asked: “With high prices, particularly when it comes to dining, a poll of South Dakota men, how many would consider proposing in a fast food restaurant? More specifically, which one would they get down on one knee?

As it turns out, the top three choices were No. 1, Chick-fil-A, No. 2, Dairy Queen, and No. 3, McDonald’s.

And honestly, I have questions.

First of all, are we talking drive-thru or dine-in? Because I feel like that’s a pretty big factor in how this all plays out. Nothing says “forever” quite like, “Will you marry me?” followed by, “And can you pull ahead to the second window?”

Secondly, is the ring hidden in the fries? Because that feels risky. Romantic, maybe. But also risky. One wrong grab and suddenly you’re explaining to the ER doctor how your fiancé swallowed a diamond.

But according to the poll, there’s logic behind all of this. Chick-fil-A, for instance, offers a “calm, family-friendly atmosphere” where nerves don’t spiral. Dairy Queen leans on nostalgia – Blizzards and chili dogs – while McDonald’s delivers “comfort food in its purest form,” which apparently now includes life-altering decisions along with a side of fries.

And you know what? I kind of get it.

Because when you strip away the candlelight and the fancy tablecloths, what you’re left with is the person. And maybe a basket of chicken strips. But mostly the person.

The survey even found that 69 percent of South Dakota men believe the setting can influence the answer, although nearly half of the women said a fast-food proposal would be “funny but memorable.” Which, if we’re being honest, is probably the goal anyway.

I mean, how many people can say their love story began with a Blizzard and a bold decision? Or a No. 1 combo and a knee on a tile floor that definitely needed mopping?

And really, isn’t that the point?

Not perfection. Not pressure. Just a moment that’s yours, even if it comes with a side of fries and a slightly sticky tabletop.

Because years from now, no one is going to remember the price of the meal or whether the lighting was just right. They’ll remember the story. The laughter. The “Can you believe he did that?”

And maybe they’ll remember that sometimes the best moments in life aren’t served under candlelight.

They’re handed to you in a paper bag, with extra napkins.