A man surprised his girlfriend, a survivor of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, by proposing to her on a date she always dreads - in turn creating a happy memory for her to think about whenever 22 May rolls around.
Morgan Evans, 21, was at the Ariana Grande concert when Manchester Arena came under attack four years ago. Twenty-two people were killed in the bombing.
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Ever since, she understandably feels 'on edge' and 'upset' each time the 22 May anniversary falls - which is something her boyfriend, James Feetham, wanted to help change.
James, 29, decided to propose to Morgan on 22 May 2021, hoping the surprise would make the date 'less of a negative day' for her.
Not only did Morgan end up saying yes, the happy moment was also captured on camera - later being posted to TikTok, where James wrote: "My girlfriend survived the Manchester Bombing. She hated May 22nd. So I did something to make it a bit better for her in future."
The heartwarming clip has since racked up 1.7 million views and 318,000 likes.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, James said: "Morgan was there when the arena bomb went off and though she wasn't injured, she was there and remembers it.
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"I can't imagine what it must have felt like for her.
"Normally in the run up to the anniversary she feels quite on edge and upset.
"I was trying to think of a way that I could make it less of a negative day for her.
"I'd actually bought the engagement ring in November because I knew I wanted to marry her.
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"So I decided to do it on that day and just hoped she'd say yes."
The couple had known each other for six years, but got together a year ago after their friendship grew into a relationship during the first lockdown.
Having recently moved to Levenshulme, Manchester, James organised a house-warming gathering of friends and family in their garden - although Morgan had no idea the occasion would soon be marking their engagement.
Morgan, who is in her second year of her nursing degree at the University of Salford, said: "I was completely shocked when I turned around and he was down on one knee.
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"I think the day will always be bittersweet for me and I'll always remember what happened.
"But what James has done has made me so happy and hopefully I can look forward to that day too, instead of dreading it."
Having been on the frontline during the pandemic, she worked at Manchester's Nightingale Hospital and on intensive care units in the autumn.
James added: "I'm just over the moon she said yes. We're both really happy."
Featured Image Credit: Newsflare