A woman surprised her penguin-obsessed girlfriend by popping the question surrounded by the fluffy birds.
Louise Middlewood, 38, proposed to her partner, Naomi Singer, on her 30th birthday in the penguin enclosure at Drusillas Park, Alfriston, East Sussex, England, on January 11, 2023.
A reluctant Naomi woke up at 8 a.m. ready for the adventure and burst into tears when she realized the pair were going to meet penguins as they pulled into the park.
The couple did a tour of the penguin enclosure and fed the birds fish before doing an egg hunt which had been orchestrated by Louise.
Naomi opened an egg and inside it read “roses are red, violets are blue, turn around, I have something to ask you.”
When she turned around, she discovered Louise down on one knee. She asked Naomi to marry her, and she gleefully accepted.
Louise, an occupational therapist, from Bromley, Kent said: “If I’m honest, Naomi is quite gullible.
“I said to her, we’re doing a fun activity for her birthday.”
Naomi an electrician from Mill Hill, London said: “Honestly I had not a single foggy, she hid the egg and we were searching around for it.
“I opened up the egg and the note read ‘roses are red, violets are blue turn around I have something to ask you.’
“I was in absolute shock, it couldn’t have been more perfect, I cried tears of sheer happiness, it was so thoughtful.”
According to Louise, the proposal plan hadn’t been as smooth sailing as Louise originally planned to propose in December 2022 – but she had to abandon her plans when the penguins were struck with bird flu.
She said: “Obviously I was devastated – in my heart it was how I wanted to do it
“I started phoning round different zoos, but they were all unwell, I changed the whole plan completely to a big surprise birthday party.
“I was going to do it in front of everyone there but a couple of weeks later, Tamara (from the wildlife park) called to say the penguins were better.”
Tamara, the marketing manager at Drusillas Park, informed Louise the penguins had recovered and helped to plan the proposal.
Louise did a trial run with Tamara and a zookeeper before the big day.
Louise said: “Naomi wasn’t happy about the 8 a.m. wake-up call but she started crying as soon as she saw the poster for penguins.
“We first went in and did the penguin encounter.
“Naomi was beside herself with joy, we got to give them loads of fish for their breakfasts.”
Naomi added: “I’ve always loved penguins since I was a kid.
“I love their waddles and I’m 4ft 9ins with tiny totters, I always trip over myself.
“I had not one single foggy, I burst into tears as soon as I realzsed we were going to meet penguins – it’s always been on my bucket list.”
The pair then prepared to hunt for the penguin egg.
“Tamara said ‘let’s go in for quick game and find an egg on the beach’,” Louise said.
“It felt like forever, but it was probably only a few minutes.
“She found it and unrolled the paper, and I got down on one knee.
“Her face dropped, she was stunned, and she turned around.
“I said ‘with the penguins as my witness, will you marry me?’
“She said ‘of course.’
“I was elated, I couldn’t stop smiling.”
Naomi added: “It was probably the best eight-o-clock wake up in my life.
“It couldn’t have been more perfect.”
Louise whisked her new fiancé off for drinks in London and then ended at a party with friends and family.
Naomi said: “My nan said I should propose to her at the party rather than wait two and a half weeks for my original plan.
“It felt really mean having my beautiful ring and Naomi not having anything.
“I did a speech to thank everyone for coming and I felt so elated, and I got down on one knee to propose back to Louise.”
Louise added: “My ring has a lovely vintage stone and we designed it together.
“Naomi’s is a mirrored emerald cut.”
Produced in association with SWNS Talker.
