A romantic man popped the question to his girlfriend…but then he had to find the complete stranger who filmed the cute moment on his mobile phone.
Ricky Charman planned the surprise proposal to Vickie Hudson at a picturesque seaside restaurant.
His mates helped him write out ‘Marry Me’ on the sand.
READ MORE: Beer comes the bride! Couple get engaged then head to Wetherspoons to celebrate
Ricky went down on one knee after the meal and Vickie luckily said ‘Yes’.
Pals of the couple, both 31, were hiding and jumped out to celebrate with them.
But despite his meticulous planning, Ricky forgot to ask one of them to record it on their mobile phone.
One of their friends had asked a random fella in the eatery, in Broadstairs, Kent.
But in the aftermath of the emotional moment he was unable to send it to Ricky and then left before they could get his name.
But Ricky then put out an appeal on social media to find him.
John Finlon saw it and then contacted the pair – who have been together for seven years – and sent them the video.
In it Ricky could be seen on one knee.
Vickie then said: “Ahh, are you joking?”
She then said “Yes” and the couple cuddled before cheers were heard and their friends came in and hugged them.
They got engaged last Thursday (23 May) and John had got in touch by Sunday (26 May) with the video.
Kitchen designer Ricky, who lives with Vickie in nearby St Peter’s told Need To Know: ”Our friends were meant to take it, but it just didn’t work out.
“Who I now know to be John was nearby and caught it all on film, but couldn’t send it to me as there was no signal.”
Rickie added: ”She said three times ‘Are you joking’?
“Then it sank in and she said ‘Yes’.
“We headed back to the restaurant to celebrate, but I must thank everyone who helped.”
Vickie said: “I was suspicious when he asked me about getting my nails done and then felt like we became distant so it threw me off and I didn’t think much.
“When we went for the meal I genuinely thought you were going to do it then and that’s why I didn’t go to the toilet as I was nervous that if I came back he would be on one knee.
“When I looked over I didn’t even clock the writing on the beach.
“He said ‘What does it say?’ And I felt so special and lucky.”
Their Facebook post got 2,000 likes and over 500 comments.
“Fortunately the power of social media came to our rescue and we managed to find him and the footage,” Ricky added.
John, 52 – who took the video – was visiting from Rainham, Kent when one of Ricky’s friends approached him.
“I was standing in the spot when he was going to propose and they asked if I’d video it all on my phone,” he said.
“Rickie or his girlfriend didn’t know me so they thought it would be ideal.
“I hid in the garden until he went down on one knee and popped the question.
“I was quite honoured that as a complete stranger they asked me and it was a lovely thing to do.
“I wish them both all the happiness for the future.”
