LOVE was in the air when Worcester couple Hannah Jones and Scott Dodds opened the door of their new home.
On the day they were due to pick up their keys at Ardley Meadows near Hereford, Scott had arranged with developers Signature New Homes to have a banner saying ‘Will you marry me?’ in the back garden and a dozen red roses hidden in the kitchen.
As Hannah walked in and spotted the banner, Scott picked up the roses, dropped on one knee, pulled out an engagement ring and popped the question.
Hannah said: “It was such a shock – I didn’t expect it at all. I burst in to tears because I was so happy. I’m totally over the moon.”
Scott, a sales manager for a phone company, and Hannah, who started work as a secondary school history teacher last month, have been going out for two years.
The 22-year-olds both studied history at Worcester College but only got to know each other through mutual friends after they left.
Scott said: “I planned to travel the world after university, but once I met Hannah I didn’t want to travel – I just wanted to stay with her. I know she’s ‘the one’ so it just made sense to get engaged as we got our first home together.
“We’re also picking up a puppy the day after we move in, a labrador called Dougie, to make the family complete. We both absolutely love animals – in fact, our first date was at a safari park.
“When I was planning the proposal, I honestly didn’t know how Hannah would react although I was pretty sure she’d say yes.
“But it’s lovely what Signature New Homes has done – I wasn’t expecting it at all. I’m so relieved it all went to plan and grateful to everyone that helped make it happen.
“I wanted it to be a total surprise for Hannah so I told her that the photographer was there because we’d been chosen to feature on Signature New Homes’ website as new home owners. Fortunately, she didn’t suspect anything.”
“We’re both very down-to-earth people and I wouldn’t call myself particularly romantic, but I have my moments – and I guess this was one of them,” he added.
To celebrate the occasion, Signature New Homes has also treated the young couple to a meal at their favourite restaurant back in Worcester.
Annette Baskett, assistant director of Sales at Signature New Homes, said: “When Scott mentioned to one of our sales advisors that he was planning to propose to his girlfriend on the day they moved in, we were keen to do something to make it extra special.
“It was such a lovely, romantic start to their new life in their new home,” she added.
