A couple both planned secret proposals for each other - and ended up getting down on one knee at the same time.<br /><br />Shanice Rawlins, 28, met her partner, Nicola Hackworthy, 32, online in 2020 and says they got on like a house on fire.<br /><br />In 2023 Shanice booked a holiday for the two of them - with a plan to take a ring and surprise Nicola with a proposal.<br /><br />In May they jetted off on a romantic holiday to Praiano, Italy, and Shanice packed the engagement in her bag for the big surprise.<br /><br />But on May 14, when she picked the moment she got down on one knee, she got the shock of her life - as Nicola ran off.<br /><br />After a moment of confusion Nicola returned - with a ring of her own - and they shared a sweet double proposal.<br /><br />Shanice, a radio dispatch officer, from Paignton, Devon, said: "We met online and got on because we both bonded over music we liked.<br /><br />"We started meeting and the more we saw each other, the more it progressed.<br /><br />"I made my proposal plans last year and planned the Italy holiday - when I bought the ring I obviously had the same thought as her!<br /><br />"Neither of us knew the other one was going to do it on holiday - we both had the rings hiding from the other person."<br /><br />Shanice had no idea why Nicola disappeared after she got down on one knee at their hotel, Torre Saracena.<br /><br />But everything made sense when Nicola returned - with a ring of her own.<br /><br />Shanice said: "When she walked off, I was very shocked - thinking 'what's going on? Do I get up or stay on one knee?'<br /><br />"When she came back with the ring, I was so shocked but I found it kind of funny."<br /><br />Luckily, both Shanice and Nicola, a sales assistant, from Saltash, Cornwall, accepted their proposals.<br /><br />They then enjoyed a boat trip and their first romantic meal together under an Italian sunset as brides-to-be.<br /><br />They are now happily engaged and planning a 2027 wedding - but plan to start a family before they marry.<br /><br />Nicola said: "My mum passed away a few weeks before I met Shanice, and she came at the right time.<br /><br />"I just knew she was the one.<br /><br />"I had been thinking about proposing for ages and I thought Italy would be the perfect place.<br /><br />"I had been carrying the ring around with me waiting for the right moment.<br /><br />"When Shanice proposed, I panicked because I didn't have my bag with me which had the ring inside.<br /><br />"I had to run off to find my bag to get the ring!<br /><br />"But it was amazing, we had a nice boat trip after.<br /><br />"I'll never ever forget that holiday."
