Moment couple who planned secret proposals for each other end up popping the question at the same time during a romantic getaway to Italy

A couple secretly wanted to propose and ended up getting down on one knee during a romantic getaway to Italy.

Shanice Rawlins, 28, from Paignton, Devon, met her partner, Nicola Hackworthy, 32, online in 2020.

aAfter more than three years of being together, Shanice decided to book a holiday for them to Praiano in Italy and she wanted to surprise Nicola with a proposal.

Shanice had a secret rendezvous in her bag, but when she got down on one knee on May 14, she was stunned when Nicola ran off.

After a moment of confusion, Nicola returned with her own ring – and they shared a heartwarming double proposal.

Shanice Rawlins (pictured left) and Nicola Hackworthy (pictured right) met online in 2020 and said they hit it off really well.

Shanice, a radio control room operator, said: ‘We met online and got along really well because we both connected over the music we liked.

‘We started meeting each other and the more we saw each other, the more progress we made.

‘Last year I was already planning my proposal and planning a vacation to Italy. When I bought the ring, I clearly had the same idea as her!

‘Neither of us knew the other was going to do it on holiday – we both hid the rings from the other.’

Shanice said she had no idea why Nicola disappeared after she proposed to her at their hotel, Torre Saracena.

But it all fell into place when Nicola, who is from Saltash, Cornwall, returned and presented Shanice with a ring.

The fun clip sees Shanice get down on one knee, after which a rather bewildered Nicola appears and says she’ll be right back.

Shanice smiled as she stood in place until Nicola returned and got down on one knee herself.

After popping the question, the two shared a romantic kiss by the ocean

After this special moment they enjoyed a boat trip and their first romantic meal together under an Italian sunset as brides-to-be (both pictured together at Christmas)

The cute clip sees Shanice get down on one knee, before a rather bewildered Nicola appears and says she’ll be right back

Shanice looked surprised and burst out laughing, after which the loving couple slid their rings on each other’s fingers to seal their lifelong commitment.

The couple sealed the deal with a romantic kiss on the balcony of their hotel, overlooking the ocean.

Shanice recounted that moment: ‘When she walked away, I was so shocked. I thought, “What’s going on? Should I get up or stay on one knee?”

“When she came back with the ring, I was very shocked, but I also thought it was funny.”

Fortunately, Shanice and Nicola, a saleswoman, accepted their proposal.

After this special moment, they enjoyed a boat trip and their first romantic meal together, under an Italian sunset as brides-to-be.

Nicola (pictured left) said she met Shanice a few weeks before her mother passed away and knew she was ‘the one’

Luckily, both Shanice and Nicola, a saleswoman, accepted their proposals to each other

Shanice remained on one knee as she waited for her fiancé to return

The couple are now happily engaged and are planning a wedding in 2027. But before they get married, they want to start a family first.

Nicola said: ‘My mum passed away a few weeks before I met Shanice and she came along at the right time. I just knew she was the one.

‘I had been thinking about proposing to her for a while and I thought Italy would be the perfect place.

‘I always had the ring with me and waited for the right moment.

‘When Shanice proposed to me, I panicked because I didn’t have my bag with the ring in it.

‘I had to run to get my bag and get the ring.

‘But it was great, we had a nice boat trip afterwards. I will never forget that holiday.’