Romance in the park

Flowers in amongst the baby’s breath at the English Gardens.

There was a lot more blooming than just flowers amongst the beauty of the English Gardens at Assiniboine Park on a recent evening.

Witnessing the heartfelt wedding proposals of Jeremy Litke to Bethany Lambshead, and Christopher Ward to Delaney Page – two beautiful couples beginning a new and exciting phase on their journeys together, which started as a bud and bloomed into a beautiful flower – was literally breathtaking . Romance was certainly in the air, and on the minds of many that night.

Two unsuspecting ladies with very sneaky boyfriends, and wonderful friends with cameras, participated in these same, yet different scenarios, to lure their girlfriends to the English Gardens.

Jeremy Litke proposes to Bethany Lambshead.

Jeremy is an amazing man, who is a C6 paraplegic, disabled by a hockey accident, and who sometimes falls from his wheelchair. However, tonight was different.

Jeremy said he pretended to fall out of his wheelchair near a bench in the tropical area of the English Gardens, where he got on one knee (as he usually does to get up) and pulled out a ring to romantically propose to Bethany. Filled with emotion, Bethany was crying tears of joy, embracing Jeremy on the park bench.

I snapped a picture, and as I approached, I noticed a lady who was disguised by a very large hat, lurking around in the bushes prior to the proposal. She took off her hat as soon as Jeremy proposed. It just so happened that the lady in the hat, and her friend, were waiting to catch that magical moment as Jeremy popped the question.

The emotion portrayed the genuine love Jeremy and Bethany share for each other.

Coincidentally, within five minutes, there was another man on his knees also proposing on the other side of the trees. It was like being on a roller coaster trying to witness all the action taking place. I quickly scampered over there to catch that moment. This young couple was beautiful as they shared their love and laughter with each other.

Earlier in the evening, I approached a photographer and his wife to ask a question about my camera, not knowing that they too were part of this second sneaky event I witnessed that evening. They were waiting for their friend Christopher to get down on one knee and pop the question to Delaney.

Christopher proposes to Delaney …

… and puts the ring on her finger.

Christopher kneeled at the central pond of the English Gardens and romantically proposed to Delaney. You should have seen the excitement they shared as they laughed with joy and gave each other a kiss.

Delaney was asked to wear a nice dress tonight, as she thought she was going somewhere else. Christopher was decked out with a nice shirt and sharp white pants.

The kiss that seals the deal.

Two proposals and two sneaky photographers, along with their partners in crime, did everything they could to be there to capture that special moment. Neither of the couples knew each other and it was inspiring to see the romance be so beautiful for these two couples.

Romance was certainly in the air along with the gorgeous flowers and tropical scenery on this midsummer’s eve.

And yes, it all happened on the night before the super moon and just before the Perseid meteor shower was about to begin over the skies of Winnipeg. I guess these women did get their wish upon a falling star, after all.

Now, they can celebrate by watching the shower of falling stars to see if they can catch the one they wished upon.

In both cases, the grooms-to-be must have been very sure that their unsuspecting brides-to-be were going to accept their proposal as they both had photographers that were friends waiting close by for the magic moment.

Earlier in the evening, there was a couple having a spectacular photo shoot after their wedding, in the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, adorned in their traditional ethnic attire. I thought maybe it was a photo shoot with models as they were so beautifully dressed. I asked one of many people with lights and cameras what was happening, and they said the couple just got married.

Recently married couple on photo shoot at Leo Mol Garden.

It was truly a night of romance at the English Gardens and at the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden. There were tears of joy and a few very happy couples. They were very friendly and easy to approach, and wandered throughout the park after their big moment, having fun along the way.

For those of you out there who are seeking love – love will find you when you least expect it. Follow your intuition and just go with it.

These lovely couples followed their hearts and all ended up in the paradise of the Assiniboine Park area known for wedding photo shoots, engagements and the like. They are truly living in the beauty of the present moment.

Live, Love, Laugh.

All photos by Marie LeBlanc