Romantic proposal photo tracked down by Edinburgh couple after online appeal

Updated

A couple whose fairytale proposal was captured by a stranger have been reunited with the photo after appealing on social media.

Michael Kent's proposal to girlfriend Fiona Newlands during a romantic break in Reykjavik, Iceland, was captured by passer-by Jessica Bowe, who promised to email the memento on.

But Mr Kent, 28, became worried he may have accidentally given her the wrong details when no email arrived, and desperately appealed online in the hope that someone would be able to help.

Within 24 hours the couple, who live in Edinburgh, had been put in contact with Miss Bowe, 37, who said she was "flabbergasted" at the response.

Mr Kent, who is originally from Shotley Bridge, County Durham, said: "I couldn't believe it. All day we'd been worried about it and it had took a little shine off of the engagement as we knew it existed, but when we got it back everything went crazy.

"I feel very lucky that Fiona said yes, never mind getting this amazing picture. I'm glad it's a positive story that people have been touched by, because there's so much depression in the news lately."

Mr Kent had planned the proposal since May and popped the question with a sapphire ring that originally belonged to Miss Newlands' grandmother.

The trip was a birthday present to Miss Newlands, 34, from Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, who had always wanted to see the Northern Lights.

Mr Kent said: "I was going to propose under the Northern Lights when we went on this Jeep tour into the countryside, but it was snowing too much so we couldn't see them.

"We got back to the city centre and it looked beautiful with the lights and snow, so I dragged her up that street as we were staying by it, found a quiet spot and proposed. Jessica then appeared and said she had a photo."

He added he wanted to send a "massive thank you to Jessica for being in the right place at the right time, and thanks to the internet".

Miss Bowe, who is American and has lived in Reykjavik for seven years, said: "I gave them a moment and then asked if they would like to have this picture as a memento.

"The man's hands were trembling as he entered his email address on my phone, and I got some nice hugs of appreciation.

"Sometimes you're just in the right place at the right time."

"I'm flabbergasted - I'm just so happy that the photo was reunited with Mike and Fiona in the end."

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