OP isn't necessarily a girl.

Well we don't know exactly why she broke up with him. He could've been taking the road to abuse for all we know. Or she could've just lost feelings, and it really would be his. But for now, we should wait for the "it's really your boyfriends" FML's. This deserves a follow up.

Um, partly? How about not at all? This FML is why I always vote YDI on the "today I proposed, but she said no" FMLs. This is a classic example of a time when the guy could've avoided the heartbreak entirely by having a frank discussion with her before even buying a ring about how she felt about marriage and, specifically, marriage to him. He's justified in feeling terrible, but he brought it entirely on himself.

#49, that defeats the purpose of proposing. Most guys want it to be a surprise for whomever it is they're proposing to.

So keep the method and time of the proposal a surprise, if you must propose. But I would be willing to bet money that all of the guys in the FMLs of the variety I previously mentioned thought the exact same way you did, and they were the ones who got the biggest surprise. Or if you really are so hung up on keeping your partner in the dark about your intentions for the future, then at least accept going in that the answer may very well be a no.

55, before proposing, the guy should at least have the "where is our relationship going" talk with his girlfriend. Some people just don't ever want to get married, or they don't feel ready to, and if that were the case, he'd know about it instead of getting shocked by it when she turns down his surprise proposal.

#49, Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that it was in any way her fault. But breaking the bad news would be from her and she might feel bad about that even though she shouldn't. That's all really. But yeah, I agree, the guys should've taken precautions and made sure the time was right, if it was at all. Big YDI to him for that. ;-;

That makes sense, 82! As you can probably tell from my other comments on this particular FML, I'm a little sensitive about the topic of unwelcome proposals right now. -_-

17 said that she was partly the cause of his disappointment, not that it was her fault. He jumped the gun and should have had a few real discussions about marriage first. But that doesn't change the fact that he feels hurt and disappointed and that she was partly the cause and probably feels really bad (whether she should or not)

91, I would still argue that OP was in no way the cause of her (I'm assuming ex) boyfriend's current anguish. It wasn't as if she dropped a bunch of hints about marriage and then spit in his face when he did propose...he made a baseless assumption that turned out to be flat-out wrong, and I maintain that it was entirely on him to make sure his assumption was correct. Though as I already said, it could just be my bias showing from having just been in a similar position as the OP.

I hear they planned it to be in Nopesville CA on Nopetember 30th. Formal "not gonna happen" attire. (Essentially funeral dress)