A couple from Washington have left the internet in hysterics after the man’s proposal plan almost looked as though it wasn’t going to happen.
The clip, taken two years ago during the couple’s sixth anniversary celebration, shows 25-year-old Brien Cocroft trying to catch up with his girlfriend on the beach before popping the question, only to find himself chasing her down the Oregon shoreline.
“I was absolutely oblivious to the fact that Brien was trying to have any kind of serious conversation, as the ocean tends to consume all of my attention. I hit the beach running, and the video is a snapshot of what that moment looked like,” Erica King, 26, told Newsweek.
@thoseweirdhippeas
After a 12-hour road trip from Spokane, Washington, the couple was relaxed and ready for an evening sunset walk along the beach. King spotted some birds flying along the shore, prompting her to race after them. Meanwhile, Cocroft tried to keep pace with her.
“Instead of freaking out, Brien went right along with me. He says he was just admiring the moment, feeling completely content and so at peace, knowing it was going to happen when it happened,” the 26-year-old said.
Fortunately for Cocroft, King suggested they set up the camera to capture some photos at sunset, which gave him the perfect chance to propose. Once they finally slowed down, he seized the moment.
Cocroft (soon to be King) told Newsweek that he was planning the proposal for two years. “I was so shaky and had to try to sneak the ring into my pocket while Erica was in the bathroom, and then we hit the beach.
“I was so overwhelmed by the scenery and by the anticipation of what was about to happen, and then she just took off. I was so grateful for her in that moment because the bliss she felt helped to ease my nerves. I was confident that she was the one,” he said.
The reaction to their video (posted via the account @thoseweirdhippeas) was overwhelming, according to the couple.
“Neither of us have ever been super popular and so having a lot of engagement with our content has felt a bit foreign. We are absolutely honored that so many people have taken the time to wish us well or to connect with us in some way,” they told Newsweek.
The internet loved the clip, with one commenting: “She’s a keeper… if you can keep up!”
“Where is the green flag guy?” another joked.
Another user wrote, “Marry her, if you can catch her”
Since King said yes, the couple moved back to the west side of Washington and are working toward future goals. While wedding plans got derailed due to the death of King’s mom and Cocroft’s family troubles, the pair recently bought a school bus to renovate into a home.
“While it has taken some time to recalibrate, we are focused the positives and on finding life’s silver linings. We really have forged our love through some of the toughest moments in our lives and I think it shows,” the couple told Newsweek.