By Anna Peirano

Over the weekend, the first ever marriage proposal by a gay man occurred in the halls of the White House.

Active duty U.S. Marine Corps captain Matthew Phelps dropped to his knee to pop the question to partner Ben Schock. 

The original photo was shared on Facebook by the American Military Partner Association, and quickly went viral. It was also picked up by Towleroad, Gawker, and other media sites. 

According to the Huffington Post, Phelps said he and Schock were "blown away by the amazing love and support we have received" after the photo went viral.

Phelps wrote, "Such a special night surrounded by wonderful people in an amazing place, and the best is still yet to come with Ben Schock. Thanks for all the wonderful greetings and messages, and thanks to Barack Obama and Michelle Obama for lending us your home for the occasion!"

And posted on Reddit, "Ten years ago when I enlisted, I never would have imagined the day that I would publicly propose to a boyfriend, much less at the White House while still on active duty as a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps."

Earlier this year, at the White House reception in honor of LGBT Pride Month, a transgender man named Scout proposed to his partner, Liz Margolies.