Liam Neeson’s Son Daniel Engaged to Natalie Ackerman

Daniel Neeson is engaged.

The youngest of Liam Neeson’s two sons popped the question to his girlfriend of eight years, Natalie Ackerman, in New York City on Saturday, Sept. 6, during a romantic sailboat cruise. Confirming his engagement in a statement to PEOPLE, Daniel, 29, says, “Yesterday I got to ask my best friend to join me on this journey called life.”

“I could write novels on why I love Natalie, but there’s something deeper, something so cosmic about our relationship that I know we’re meant to be in this universe together,” says the youngest son of Liam, 73, and the late actress Natasha Richardson.

“I see my mother in Nat, I see life in Nat, and reality just got a whole lot sweeter with a ring on it,” Daniel adds. “Love wins!”

Photos shared exclusively with PEOPLE show the moment Ackerman said “yes.” She was visibly emotional as Daniel popped the question on the Hudson River, backdropped by the N.Y.C. skyline. The pictures also capture the moment Daniel slid on her engagement ring, and the pair sharing a tight embrace.

Daniel announced the couple’s engagement on Instagram on Saturday, along with glimpses into their N.Y.C. engagement party.

“Life is beautiful,” he wrote over a photo of the proposal on Instagram Stories. He also reposted a snap of Ackerman showing off her engagement ring from behind the wheel of the boat, and a video of himself picking up his newly minted fiancée for a kiss at their engagement bash.

The party included a spread of sliders, fries and a cake featuring white icing and stunning floral details, per photos reposted by Daniel. It also featured a custom drink menu inspired by the couple, including the “Knit Nat Negroni” and “The Tulane Bombshell,” the latter of which was an apparent nod to Tulane University, where their paths first crossed.

The longtime loves began dating in 2017, and graduated from the New Orleans college in 2019. Daniel studied theater and digital media production, while Ackerman studied business, according to their respective LinkedIn profiles.

Daniel is an entrepreneur, launching an eco-friendly, charitable clothing line called Pine Outfitters as a junior at Tulane in 2022. He previously told PEOPLE that his actor dad (who proudly rocked the brand and talked it up on Live with Kelly and Mark) was “not just a supportive father but he’s been very supportive in terms of the business as well.”

Daniel then co-founded De Nada Tequila, where he currently works. Ackerman, meanwhile, is a brand communications manager.

While Ackerman keeps her social media private, Daniel frequently shares photos of the pair on his public Instagram account, as well as sweet tributes to his longtime love. In July 2024, the entrepreneur shared some sunset photos of his now-fiancée, and wrote: “You are my sweet song that whistles in the breeze. Love you baby.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Daniel is the youngest of Liam and Richardson’s sons. The Taken star welcomed two children with the late Parent Trap actress: Micheál Neeson in 1995, and Daniel in 1996. Richardson died in 2009 at age 45 when Micheál and Daniel were 13 and 12, respectively. Micheál is now 30.