It took 40 hours, romantic placards and strangers delivering roses for each day Jayson Croom had spent with his girlfriend of four years Celeyse Drury, but it was all worth it when she said “yes”.
Jayson, 33, says he needed to do something “a little over the top” to make his proposal to the mother of his three children – with a fourth on the way - exceptional.
It included a stretch Hummer arrival at a swanky Melbourne restaurant, a string quartet, more than 1000 roses, note cards detailing exactly what Jayson loves about Celyse and, of course, a spectacular ring.
While the world already knows why Jayson loves Celyse, thanks to his placards and a video he made of the proposal that went viral, it wasn’t until later that she got the chance to say what makes him so special.
“I love Jayson's passion for everything in life, and his ability and capability to make sure my family and I are looked after,” she says.
It took a lot of time and effort to put the proposal together - making the placards, getting enough roses, buying Celyse a dress and shoes, and organising for a beauty therapist and nail artist to visit their home before the Hummer came to pick her up.
The couple’s families helped out by hiding on the street outside the restaurant convincing strangers to deliver roses.
“It took about 40 hours and a lot of secret trips away in my spare time to make it happen, but I would have spent 1000 hours if need be,” Jayson says.
While Celyse suspected Jayson was up to something, she thought it was all part of a big birthday surprise. And while it did take place on her birthday, the proposal came as a complete shock.
“He generally isn't a romantic as such, but he has certainly been loving and been known to bring flowers home for no reason,” Celyse says.
“That's what made the day so special - it was unexpected.”
Even on the day, Celyse didn’t realise what was happening. She says she was suspicious when people began handing her flowers and started congratulating her, but was too blown away to realise what was really happening.
Jayson says he wouldn’t have been able to pull off the proposal without their friends, families and strangers who helped out on the day.
The happy couple are yet to set a date, but have begun a new life in Queensland as they prepare to welcome their fourth child.
