Kellie Pickler’s boyfriend, songwriter Kyle Jacobs proposed on a Florida beach at sunset last week. This month has been hard for Kellie since it is the birthday of her late grandmother, Faye Pickler.

"It turned out to be the most amazing day of my life," the fifth-season American Idol star, 23, told PEOPLE. "My whole world changed. We both feel like we got my grandmother's blessing."

Jacobs planned the proposal, arranging a blanket, champagne and candles to be waiting as they strolled on the beach.

According to PEOPLE the couple met through friends about 2 ½ years ago, and Pickler who was raised by her grandmother says she learned how to have a healthy relationship thanks to her new fiancé.  

“Kyle took away all my fear of marriage and has shown me the way love is supposed to be,” she says.

Congratulations to the happy couple!