Most people pop the question over dinner. One bloke from Buckinghamshire decided that wasn’t nearly dramatic enough, so he proposed to his girlfriend while surrounded by sharks at Skegness Aquarium.
Yep, really.
James Walsh, from Wendover, got down on one knee (well, as much as you can underwater) and asked longtime girlfriend Paige Cook to marry him during a shark-diving experience he’d originally bought her for Christmas.
Because apparently flowers are out and aquatic apex predators are in.
James told the BBC he picked Skegness Aquarium because he wanted somewhere “different, unique and memorable” to ask the big question. Safe to say, mission accomplished.
The proposal took some serious planning. James secretly contacted the aquarium beforehand, where staff agreed to help him pull off the underwater surprise.
“They separated us from the rest of the group and then a man snuck round with the sign,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Paige had absolutely no idea what was coming.
She said: “This was the best day of my life. I’ve always wanted to go scuba diving and swimming with sharks. Then the proposal happened and I completely forgot I was in a tank.”
Honestly, same.
Paige admitted she was so shocked by what was happening that her first thought wasn’t even about saying yes.
“My first thought was, ‘Am I going to run out of air from hyperventilating?'”
Luckily she kept her cool long enough to give James an “OK” hand signal underwater, which fortunately doubles up as a scuba-diving gesture and an acceptance of marriage.
As if proposing in a shark tank wasn’t stressful enough, James also revealed he spent the whole time worrying a shark might mistake the engagement ring for a snack.
Imagine explaining that one to your future in-laws.
Jamie Elvidge from Skegness Aquarium said the moment was unforgettable for everyone involved.
“It’s an adrenaline-fuelled experience anyway, and then when you add the extra excitement of this, you feel like you’re there and part of it,” he said.
“It is a really unique way of popping the big question.”
So if you’re looking for proposal inspiration, just remember: candlelit restaurants are nice, but have you considered doing it while a shark circles overhead? 🦈💍
