This week marks 12 years since Jillian Harris accepted a proposal from Ed Swiderski on the Season 5 finale of “The Bachelorette” — after Reid Rosenthal crashed the Final Rose Ceremony, briefly derailing her search for love.

“I’ve been through all the ups and downs I could possibly imagine. And then for Reid to come back and propose to me and tell me that he loves me? I mean, I wished it would have happened a long time ago,” Jillian told the camera, acknowledging her decision to send Reid home after Fantasy Suites. “And I don’t know. I just wish there was more time.”

The franchise star added, “How is somebody supposed to make a decision like this?”

Ultimately, Jillian followed her heart and handed her final rose to Ed — who was more than ready to ask for her hand in marriage.

“I know that I’m meant to be with Jillian forever because I’ve never felt this positive about being with someone ever,” the handsome businessman said in a confessional. “If Jillian chooses me today, today will rank as the most important day, the most exciting day that I’ve ever had in my life.”

When he finally met Jillian to pop the question, Ed professed his feelings for her among stunning scenery in Hawaii.

“Jillian, you may not know how much you have impacted me, how you’ve changed me as a man, and helped me reprioritize my life. You’re everything that I could ever ask for in a woman,” he said. “You’re beautiful, you’re intelligent, you’re funny, you’re confident, and you make me smile when I look into your eyes.”

Ed added, “I know that I love you — but before we go any further, I need to know that you love me.”

Jillian immediately responded, “There is no doubt in my mind that I’m madly in love with you. I love you so much.”

After sharing a passionate kiss, Jillian told Ed, “You don’t know how much I’ve been waiting to tell you I love you for so long. It was so hard for me not to tell you that I love you.”

That’s when Ed pulled out a sparkling Neil Lane ring to say, “There’s one last thing. I want to be with you forever. I want a family with you. I want you to give me a hard time when we’re 80 years old. Jillian, will you marry me?”

“Absolutely!” Jillian replied enthusiastically. “Do you have any idea how much fun we’re going to have?”

As fans will recall, Jillian and Ed announced their split a year later in July 2010. Today, Jillian — who went on to host a number of TV shows and launch a successful lifestyle brand — shares two children, son Leo, 4, and daughter Annie, 2, with fiancé Justin Pasutto.

Take a trip down memory lane by revisiting Jillian’s promo shots for “The Bachelorette.”