A North Carolina man enlisted the help of an elephant to create a one-of-a-kind proposal for his girlfriend. Ian Cavallier, 26, surprised Katie Boling, 23, with an unforgettable moment involving her favorite animal.
Ian orchestrated the event at Natural Bridge Zoo in Virginia after months of planning. He wanted to incorporate Katie’s love for elephants into the proposal, ultimately finding a zoo that could help bring his idea to life.
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The surprise began with Ian telling Katie they were heading to the mountains to admire the autumn foliage.
After a four-hour drive from their home in Asheboro, he blindfolded Katie and led her into the zoo’s elephant enclosure.
A video of the proposal captures the magical moment when an elephant, guided by a zookeeper, handed Katie a small box with its trunk. Ian then dropped to one knee and asked her to marry him.
Katie, a student, was visibly emotional and said yes to Ian’s heartfelt question. “It took me forever to come up with this idea and plan it perfectly, but it went better than I could have ever imagined,” Ian said. “Hearing her say yes was the most beautiful moment of my life.”
The couple began dating in January 2014 and are set to tie the knot this October, with a honeymoon planned at Disney World.
Reflecting on the proposal, Ian shared his gratitude for finding a zoo willing to accommodate such a special event.
“At first, I was discouraged when one place said no, but Natural Bridge Zoo offered a proposal package and went above and beyond to help make it perfect,” he said.
Ian, an emergency room technician, admitted feeling nervous during the event. “Letting the elephant hand her the ring box was a big leap of faith, but everything worked out,” he recalled. “I’ll never forget her tearing up and smiling as the elephant handed her the ring.”
Expressing his love for Katie, Ian added, “I’ve felt so lucky ever since we met in 2013. I never imagined we’d come this far, and I’m blessed to have her in my life.”
The unique proposal has left an impression on everyone who hears the story, showcasing Ian’s creativity and devotion in crafting a day Katie will never forget.
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