American singer-songwriter and reality TV star Lawson Bates has gotten engaged to his actress girlfriend Tiffany Espensen. Speaking to PEOPLE, Bates said of his fiancée, "Getting to know Tiffany — her heart, her passions, and her dreams — has been the greatest joy of my life, and we have been making so many wonderful memories together over the past year." Earlier this week, the 'Past the Past' singer, 29, surprised Espensen, 22, with his proposal during their trip to Italy when he told her that they were going to shoot a music video for their recent song, 'Crazy Love'. Bates, who features on the reality TV show Bringing Up Bates, ​took to Instagram and shared romantic pictures from the proposal at the Tenuta Larnianone in Siena and penned a heartfelt caption: "Tiff, I don’t have a lot of words, because you’ve been taking my breath away ever since I met you. Getting to know you this past year has made more brighter days and memories than I could’ve ever dreamed. I cannot wait to make a lifetime more of them with you! Thank you for saying “YES” to our forever."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Lawson Bates (@lawbates)

Espensen too posted a few pictures of the proposal from Bates on social media and expressed her joy at the latest big development in her life. She wrote, "10•26•2021  William Lawson, you are my best friend and all my greatest prayers are wrapped up in you. You bring joy to my life and I am so madly in love with you.  I pray that our lives and future together reflect the best of Jesus. Your patience, kindness, and overall Godly character push me to be a better person daily.  You are my second greatest “YES” in life (accepting Christ as my Savior as first)!  I can’t wait to begin forever together married 😍  Love you so much." In her reaction, Tiffany Espensen, who said she was surprised, added that she did suspect Bates was up to something. She said, "I knew something was suspicious when Lawson became awfully secretive with texts and planning with others. However, he still blew me away with this surprise!" Espensen, who started as an actress and made appearances in films like Spider-Man: Homecoming and Avengers: Infinity War, further stated, "To travel to Italy for any occasion is a dream, but especially for an engagement." Talking to PEOPLE about popping up the big question, Bates said, "Our engagement happened right at sunset with just a few simple roses, and the serenity of the Tuscan backdrop. I was thrilled and overjoyed when she said, 'YES!'" Bates says, "We are so grateful God brought us both into each other's lives, and now we are overjoyed and excited to start preparing for our wedding and our future together."