A man has sparked controversy after proposing to his girlfriend at her graduation ceremony, just moments before she was due to receive her degree.
Erin Boddice was preparing for her special moment; it was the day she would finally graduate as an Early Years Primary Teacher from the University of Worcester, Henwick Grove, Worcester.
Unbeknownst to her, her partner of three years, Jacob Thomas, had planned to make the moment life-changing in more ways than one: by getting down on one knee and asking for Erin’s hand in marriage.
While awaiting her degree at Worcester Cathedral, Erin received the surprise of her life when Jacob popped the question. A delighted Erin replied “yes” and said the timing was “perfect.”
Despite Erin’s euphoria, some X-users have strongly disagreed with Jacob’s timing and accused him of “stealing the spotlight” while others say he made the day “all about him.”
People have taken to X to reprimand a man for proposing to his girlfriend moments before she graduated from Worcester University (Pictured: The moment Jacob Thomas proposes to girlfriend Erin Boddice at her graduation)
Erin fondly recalled: ‘We were in the cathedral garden, overlooking the river, taking family photos on the steps just outside the cathedral door.
‘Then Jacob knelt down and asked the question. He couldn’t believe it. He was so happy.
“I can’t wait to show the kids the pictures and the ring when I get back to school in the morning.”
Erin already works at a school and returned to work the day after her graduation and after a ‘small celebration’.
Erin’s fiancé, Jacob Thomas, finished his studies in Worcester two years ago and now works in the city.
Although it was a happy day for Erin, he refused to take all the credit and instead attributed his success in part to luck.
“I had planned it so Erin’s dad could be there to take pictures. I planned half of the moment, but the other half was luck,” Jacob said.
Sadly, many were unmoved by the magical moment and wasted no time in expressing their thoughts on social media.
A delighted Erin said yes and called the proposal “perfect,” but some social media users think otherwise (the two pictured after Erin’s graduation from Worcester University).
One person commented: “Couldn’t we just let her have her day off? We had to dedicate it to him!”
“Thunder theft, just like in the textbooks,” said another.
However, some users disagreed and preferred to give Jacob a virtual pat on the back for his hard work.
One person said: “He made everything MORE about her. She was having a great day and he made it even better.”
“What a bittersweet outlook for a proposal from which the only thing that can be made clear is that he did it so that the day would revolve around him!” said another.
Another chimed in: “He did it because it was HIS day and HIS family was there to witness HIS moment.”
“It’s fantastic to see that one of our students has had an even better day. She was delighted!” said one staff member.
For Erin, the day couldn’t have been better. She said: “Exactly, it was absolutely perfect.”
“Thank you so much. It’s everything I could have dreamed of, all my family and friends were there to see it.”