A couple planned secret proposals for each other and ended up getting down on one knee at the same time during a romantic getaway to Italy.
Shanice Rawlins, 28, from Paignton, Devon, met her partner Nicola Hackworthy, 32, online in 2020.
TOAfter more than three years together, Shanice decided to book a holiday for them in Praiano, Italy, and planned to surprise Nicola with a proposal.
Shanice packed a secret engagement in her bag but when she got down on one knee on May 14, she was left baffled when Nicola ran away.
After a moment of confusion, Nicola returned with a ring of her own and they shared a touching double proposal.
In May, Shanice Rawlins (pictured left) and Nicola Hackworthy (pictured right) set off on their idyllic trip to Praiano and had no idea they were about to propose.
Shanice Rawlins (pictured left) and Nicola Hackworthy (pictured right) met online in 2020 and said they got on famously.
Shanice, a radio dispatch officer, said: ‘We met online and got along well because we both connected over the music we liked.
‘We started meeting up and the more we saw each other, the more it progressed.
‘I made my proposal plans last year and planned the vacation to Italy. When I bought the ring, I obviously had the same thought as her!
‘Neither of us knew the other was going to do it over the holidays – we both had the rings hidden from each other.’
Shanice said she had no idea why Nicola disappeared after proposing to her at her hotel, Torre Saracena.
But it all made sense when Nicola, who is from Saltash, Cornwall, returned and gave Shanice a ring.
In the sweet clip, Shanice can be seen getting down on one knee, before a rather stunned Nicola appears to say she’ll be right back.
Shanice smiled as she remained in her position before Nicola returned and knelt down as well.
After popping the question, the couple shared a romantic kiss by the ocean.
After that special moment, they enjoyed a boat ride and their first romantic dinner together under an Italian sunset as brides-to-be (both photographed together at Christmas).
In the sweet clip, Shanice can be seen getting down on one knee, before a rather stunned Nicola appears to say she’ll be right back.
A shocked Shanice burst out laughing, before the loving couple placed rings on each other’s fingers to cement their lifelong commitment.
The couple then sealed the deal with a romantic kiss on their hotel balcony, overlooking the ocean.
Speaking about the moment, Shanice said: ‘When she left, I was so shocked and thought, ‘What’s going on? Do I get up or do I stay on my knees?’
“When he came back with the ring, I was very surprised, but I thought it was kind of funny.”
Fortunately, both Shanice and Nicola, a sales assistant, accepted each other’s proposals.
After that special moment, they enjoyed a boat ride and their first romantic dinner together under an Italian sunset as brides-to-be.
Nicola (pictured left) said he met Shanice just weeks before his mother passed away and knew she was “the one”.
Fortunately, both Shanice and Nicola, a sales assistant, accepted each other’s proposals.
Shanice stayed on her knees as she waited for her fiancé to return.
The couple is now happily engaged and plans to marry by 2027, but plans to start a family before tying the knot.
Nicola said: ‘My mother passed away a few weeks before I met Shanice, and she came along at just the right time. I knew she was the one.
‘I had been thinking about proposing to her for a long time and thought Italy would be the perfect place.
‘I had been carrying the ring with me waiting for the right moment.
‘When Shanice proposed to me, I panicked because I didn’t have my purse with me that had the ring in it.
‘I had to run out and get my bag to get the ring.
“But it was amazing, we had a nice boat trip afterwards. I will never forget that holiday.”
