Joe Boylan’s bold proposal to girlfriend Anna Sharples went viral yesterday
Joe Boylan and Anna Sharples(Image: Supplied)
A couple from Litherland have spoken of their joy after a bold proposal spotted in the skies above Merseyside turned out to be part of their baby shower.
Joe Boylan, 27, surprised his partner Anna Sharples, 24, with a plane banner reading “Anna Sharples – will you marry me?” as the pair celebrated the upcoming arrival of their first child – a baby girl they’ve already named Delilah. The couple, who have been together for seven years, met on a night out when Anna was 18 and Joe was 20. Within a month, they were living together.
Anna told the ECHO: “We met on a night out and, after about four weeks, we were living together. We knew straight away.”
Joe added: “Anna’s been through a lot in her life. I always tell her she should write a book about it. She was originally born in California and went through care after losing her adoptive parents.
“When we met, she didn’t know any of her family – but about a year and a half ago we found out she has loads in America. Her dad even came over last year, which was brilliant.”
Anna said: “They were able to be on a FaceTime call to witness the proposal.”
Joe said he had been planning to propose for a while but wanted to make the moment unforgettable. He said: “I always knew she was the one since I met her, and I felt the timing was right.
“My mum actually put the plane banner idea in my head – once she mentioned it, there was no going back. It was a no-brainer.”
A banner in the sky over Crosby reads: ‘Anna Sharples – will you marry me?’(Image: Mark Spanner)
Anna said she had “no idea” what was about to happen, adding: “He told everyone we were just getting a big group picture outside. I was shocked, overwhelmed, but absolutely buzzing. It was the best day of my life.”
The moment quickly took off online after onlookers spotted the message in the sky from across Sefton.
Anna said: “We didn’t expect any of that. People didn’t know my response or anything like that, so they were all eager to find out, which was really cool.”
Joe added: “I was a good few pints deep and about ten people sent me the article. It just topped the day off.”
Now, as they prepare to welcome baby Delilah in November, the couple say they’re still on cloud nine.
Joe said: “I was nervous, yeah – not half. But I sort of knew she’d say yes, because we know we’re made for each other.”
