SeaLOVE Centre: Sea lion asks stunned woman 'Will you marry me?' as boyfriend's elaborate proposal pays off

Proposal: A bride-to-be was left flipping stunned when her boyfriend enlisted the help of a sealion to propose

As marriage proposals go, this one will be flipping hard to beat.
A besotted boyfriend popped the question with the help of a SEA LION.
Student Abbie McMurray, 21, was enjoying what she thought was just a surprise day out at a wildlife park with her partner Aidan Barnes-Mathews, 22.
But then Morgan, the 13-year-old sea lion she had come to visit, waddled over to her with a rose in his mouth and a note saying: "Will You Marry Me?"
Before she knew it, Aidan was on one knee with a ring in his hand.

Water gesture: Abbie McMurray celebrates getting engaged after the unusual proposal

There were cheers from the audience during the very public proposal at the Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park in Devon, and the lovebirds are now setting the plans in motion for their big day.
Abbie, a student at Chelsea School of Fine Art, said: "I am a huge animal lover. I saw a sea lion show a few years ago and it brought me to tears. I have been amazed by them ever since.
"Whenever Aidan and I visit Devon we always go to the Combe Martin Park, and I always want to go and see the same sea lion, Morgan - but I never could have imagined that the same sea lion would end up proposing to me."

 

The couple have been together for four years after meeting at college.
They headed to Devon from their home in Walton on Thames, Surrey, after Aidan, who works as a shop assistant, booked a surprise day off.
Abbie said: "I didn't know where we were going until we got in the car.
"As soon as Aidan told me that we were going to Devon I asked if we could go to the wildlife park to see Morgan the sea lion.
"But Aidan played it really cool and said we might be able to go. I had no idea what was coming."

"The following day we went watch the sea lion show, and straight afterwards we went to have a meet-and-greet with the animals," she continued.
"Then the head keeper said 'Morgan is just going to get something,' and I was a bit confused.
"Then moments later he came waddling towards me with this pretend rose in his mouth, and dropped it into my hand."

"There was a note wrapped around the stem and when I read it, it said 'Will you marry me?'" she contined.
"I looked at Morgan and for a split second I thought he was proposing to me.
"But then I turned to Aidan and saw he was on his knee and had a ring. I just couldn't believe it. I was in so much shock."

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"I later found out that Morgan had been especially trained to propose to me with the rose," she added. "It was fantastic."
To add to the surprise, Aidan had arranged for Abbie's close friends and family to be watching in the audience, and she says she cannot believe how well he managed to disguise his plans.

 

Abbie said: "Aidan managed to hide the whole thing really well. I looked up into the arena and spotted Aidan's sister, then I saw my mum, then I realised my close friends were there too.
"It was all very well planned. I was impressed."

 

Dawn Gilbert, park director, said: "How could we say no to this request?
"Morgan was a star as usual, and the team here all wish the couple every happiness in their future marriage - though it is extremely unlikely that Morgan will be able to attend the wedding."