‘She said yes’: B.C. news team captures surprise marriage proposal

On CTV Your Morning Vancouver, Adam learns what happened after a CTV News team, seconds away from broadcasting live, spotted a man proposing to his girlfriend.

VICTORIA – The reporter and the cameraman were seconds away from broadcasting live, preparing to cover the first story of the newscast, when they happened upon a happy story to end it.

“Striking public service workers are behind me,” B.C. legislative reporter Robert Buffam says before laughing at something unexpectedly catching his attention. “But we have an engagement going on in front of me!”

Ella Van Enter didn’t know that yet. She just thought she was visiting Victoria to show her boyfriend — Alex Benton — the B.C. parliament buildings. Not only is she a political science student with dreams of serving in government, but the fountain behind the buildings was one of her favourite places growing up.

“All my best memories are here,” Ella smiles.

And over the past two years that they’ve been dating, all Alex’s best memories are with Ella. So, he enlisted her sister and aunt to help with a surprise proposal here.

“When she met him, it was instant,” Sharon Van Enter smiles. “He hasn’t even seen her disabilities.”

Ella has cerebral palsy. While Alex fell in love with her sitting in a wheelchair, he recalled her saying she’d never want to get engaged in one. So, he secretly arranged for Ella to be able to sit in a clear chair for his proposal, framed by two abundant bouquets of flowers.

“It took me by surprise,” Ella smiles. “I was not expecting this at all.”

While Robert and Orlando weren’t expecting it either, the news team does know a thing or two about breaking news.

“Ten second to air buddy,” Robert says as Orlando whips the camera away from Alex on bended knee and back to the beginning of the live broadcast.

They juggled between broadcasting opposing political sides saying no and capturing Ella exuberantly proclaiming yes.

“She said yes!” Robert says, as Ella screams with delight.

“This is so surreal!” Ella laughs. “I actually can’t even believe this is happening right now.”

“I’m so happy that she was happy,” Alex smiles. “That was a big goal of mine.”

While a goal of journalists is to ask who, what, when, and where, the most important part of this story is how this engaged couple answered, why.

“I love you,” Ella looks up at Alex.

“I love you too,” Alex smiles at Ella.

“That’s pretty much all that needs to be said,” Ella beams.

“Congrats,” Rob yells from the spot he’s been reporting the latest political news, before Orlando zooms his camera to capture the couple embracing for the first time as fiancés.