Couple reveal how they realised they’d both planned to propose at the SAME time

A couple have shared how they both chose the same moment to propose to each other, while enjoying a snowy holiday in Eastern Europe. 

Dr Bee Nichols, from London, had plotted to get down on one knee and pop the question to her ‘soulmate’ James Kavanagh – and was delighter when her partner, who uses they/them pronouns, did exactly the same moments later.

The double proposal happened when the pair – who went to the same schools but lost contact for years afterwards – were holidaying in Latvia.

Plant scientist Dr Nichols, 29, explains: ‘While we were away, I’d organised a trip to go dog-sledding and to an observation tower and my idea was to propose at the top.

‘When I got there it was quite busy and I felt nervous and went very quiet. But then so did James and I thought “Maybe they know I’m about to propose”. 

She realised soon after that the reason for the quietness was that James also had something up his sleeve.

Dr Nichols said: ‘They said something like “I hope you don’t mind, I was also planning to propose” and I gasped. I was so shocked I said no completely by accident. But I meant “No… I can’t believe you’re doing this”.’

Another tourist caught the moment on camera and Dr Nichols tweeted the photos, which have now been seen millions of times.

The computational plant scientist, who uses simulations to look at the impact of climate change, went to the same schools as James in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, and even unwittingly ended up at the same university.

Your turn! Moments later Dr Nichols was on the receiving end of being asked

A bystander took photos of the couple – wearing matching hats – after their happy moment in the snow, and their story has since gone viral

The rings: The couple swapped rings – both with green stones – after their double proposal

She had not seen them for years when the University of Leicester graduate, who completed a Master’s at Imperial College London, temporarily returned to her parents’ home in 2020.

James, 28, a PhD student at Imperial College London, had also gone back home as the pandemic broke out. They ended up bumping into each other by joining the same running club.

‘I recognised them from somewhere and realised I played football with James’s brother and my brother was in Scouts with their parents,’ Dr Nichols told the BBC.

The pair, former schoolmates, ended up bumping into each other during lockdown when they returned to their parents houses and then joined the same running club

Snowmance: Both plotted the proposal after a husky sledding ride in Latvia

Dr Nichols said: ‘We knew [getting engaged] was the next step but not until 2023. But it looked so romantic and I had found a ring [for James] that matched mine’

‘We had lots of mutual friends at secondary school and at university – we kept almost meeting, but not quite.

‘It was really sweet. James’s mum still has a tea towel we’d made in primary school that has both our names on and our self-portraits.’

The couple began dating and bought Dr Nichols’ engagement ring last year, prior to heading to Latvia in the middle of last month.

‘We knew [getting engaged] was the next step but not until 2023. But it looked so romantic and I had found a ring [for James] that matched mine,’ Dr Nichols said.

The photos on Twitter have now been viewed 4.4million times.

Dr Nichols’ caption said: ‘I don’t know much about soulmates but we had the same idea and wore matching hats.’

Well-wishers have hailed the heartwarming story, with one commenting: ‘Congratulations! This is genuinely the most adorable engagement story I have ever seen.’ Another said: ‘So cute!’

Dr Nichols added: ‘Seeing this make people smile is really lifting our hearts. Thank you for the huge outpouring of love! We’re truly overwhelmed.’

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