Cancer Council's Relay for Life brought them together but didn't fast-track a romantic proposal which almost knocked the bride-to-be off her feet.
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Orana Relay for Life committee chairman Jason Dearmer got down on one knee to ask for the hand of committee secretary Mel Heldon.
Ms Heldon said "yes' on July 19 as reported on the Cancer Council Western Region Facebook page.
Their engagement has the Australian Relay for Life community marching to a new tune with some wags telling their communities to volunteer and "meet the love of your life".
The lovebirds are being asked if they will exchange vows at the Orana Relay for Life in Dubbo on September 12 and 13 next year.
Their answer is "no".
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Mr Dearmer and his future wife have their feet on the ground when it comes to the important fundraiser and its positive impact on the community.
"We're very passionate about Relay for Life and we want to make sure we keep it separate," Mr Dearmer said.
But the busy couple will tweak the Relay for Life's hope ceremony for inclusion in a "fun and casual" wedding on a property near Dubbo on May 2, 2020.
Loved ones lost to cancer and other causes will be remembered.
A matchmaker on the Orana Relay for Life committee brought Mr Dearmer and Ms Heldon together on Facebook in 2016.
Ms Heldon, who now works in marketing at alex&ria digital communication, was living in Mudgee at the time and serving on its Relay for Life committee.
She found herself "swooning" over one of Dubbo's busiest young volunteers who runs Dubbo Strata Management.
Eventually, and after a health scare, Ms Heldon took matters into her own hands and asked him out.
They dined at Macquarie Inn with a portable oxygen tank on hand and soon after had their first kiss in the car park of Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
Mr Dearmer's volunteer commitments prompted Ms Heldon to move to Dubbo.
The young woman, "living with cancer" and full of community spirit, was in love early in the relationship but wanted a proposal to come from the man who makes her heart swell when he "helps others".
Last month, Mr Dearmer picked his fellow "nerd' up from the airport and played the music of her favourite artist as they returned to a spotless home where candles were burning.
Tired from attending a Relay for Life conference, Ms Heldon didn't see the signs.
"When I turned around he was down on one knee," she said.
"After waiting three years I almost missed it."
