Bridgnorth couple get engaged at Midnight Mass after whirlwind romance
A couple who enjoyed a whirlwind romance have become engaged after Midnight Mass.
Gary van Greuning, 51, popped the question to his sweetheart Denise Hannibal in front of a crowd of excitable onlookers outside St Mary Magdalene Church in Bridgnorth after the late-night Christmas service.
To his joy she said yes, and the pair enjoyed cheers and applause as they walked away to the sound of their special song Hold My Hand by Jess Glynne. The pair have only been together for seven months, but are already smitten.
Gary, who works at air management systems company Swegon, said: “I had a bluetooth speaker wrapped up in Christmas paper. Denise was under the impression that it was a parcel for charity for the church.
“One of the songs that we do share is Hold My Hand by Jess Glynne. I went down on one knee and asked if she would marry me. A crowd of people were watching. We got a round of applause and I played our song.”
It has been something of a whirlwind romance for the pair, who only moved to Bridgnorth at the beginning of the year.
Safeguarding adviser Denise, 55, said: “I moved to Bridgnorth on February 1 and he moved here on March 1. We lived about 100 yards apart, but now we live together. We met in the Black Horse pub in Low Town and we’ve just been with each other ever since.
"I remember he had these piercing blue eyes. He was wearing brown shoes, jeans and a white shirt. I looked at his eyes and his shoes, which were very smart, and went and spoke to him.
"I asked him to dance and that was it. I just looked at him and kissed him."
Gary added: "She has a nice smile and she's happy all the time. It was just one of those feelings."
Gary bought Denise a stunning engagement ring with a ruby stone, in memory of Denise's mum who loved the red gemstones.
Some may question how quickly they’ve committed to each other, but the loved-up pair couldn’t be happier.
“My family have said this is the happiest they’ve seen me,” said Denise. “I know some people might think it’s a bit quick but we’re both old enough and mature enough to know what we want.
“I’ve got five grown-up children and Gary has two. It was just meant to be. It feels right. We have a good laugh together.”
The happy couple are hoping to tie the knot over the festive period in Bridgnorth in 2020.
