A romantic dad proposed to his girlfriend minutes after she gave birth by putting their newborn daughter in a babygro with the words ‘Mummy will you marry my daddy?’ written on the front.
Childhood friends Phil Dale, 27, and Paris Bell-Windmill, 26, have been dating for the past two years, having met in their teens.
The loved-up couple found out they were expecting their first child together in November.
Little Beau-Bell Dale arrived at 8.37pm last Wednesday (29/6) at the Barratt Birth Centre in Northampton General Hospital.
Moments after the pair welcomed their 8lb 4oz bundle of joy into the world, new dad Phil slipped the white garment onto the tiny tot while Paris took a shower.
Phil, who manages a facility in the motorsport industry, seized the opportunity and dressed his daughter in the adorable babygro, before wrapping Beau in a blanket to disguise the surprise.
When Paris returned, she was greeted by Phil on one knee holding a diamond ring – and said ‘yes’ immediately.
Mum Paris, who works at a coffee shop in Earls Barton, Northamptonshire, said: “I wanted to go and freshen up, so I went to have a shower after the birth.
“When I came back, I noticed Phil was dropping hints trying to make me take Beau’s blanket off.
“I took the blanket off and saw the babygro and I couldn’t believe it.
“I turned around and Phil was down on one knee asking me to marry him.
“I almost fell to the floor with shock. Of course, I said yes.
“He told me he bought the babygro around Christmas time, and the ring a few months later.
“The staff were so excited for us, and even helped Phil set the room up ready for the proposal.
“We are planning on having the wedding in a few years’ time, because we want Beau to be old enough to be a part of it and remember the day.”
Phil said: “I thought this would be a common thing in a maternity ward, but the staff here said this is the first time anyone had done this.
“The midwives helped me keep Paris away while I set up the room.
“Then when she came back in a lot of emotions came out.
“Paris started crying – she nearly fell over she was so shocked.
“The staff there were absolutely fantastic, we can’t thank them enough.”
The staff at the birth centre, which opened at the end of 2013, were thrilled at seeing their first ever in-ward proposal posted pictures of adorable baby beau on the hospital’s Facebook page.
The ward has four birthing rooms, three of them with pools, plus kitchenettes, double beds and en-suite bathrooms to provide a more relaxing environment for mums.
