Boyfriend brings Rockefeller Rink to a halt with elaborate proposal in front of her family — she had no idea

Many couples go the extra mile to express their love, especially during the festive season. To make the moment truly unforgettable, some take their partners out for a surprise dinner at a fancy restaurant, while others choose to celebrate extravagantly. The same happened to a woman, Heather Nguyen (@itbeheather) on Instagram, when her long-time boyfriend decided to propose under the twinkling lights of a holiday wonderland. According to People, the New York City resident and boyfriend, Philip Cho, saved $1,650 to rent out the famous Rockefeller Ice Rink for a mere five-minute, short yet satisfying proposal.

In a widely shared video, Cho was seen on his knees during the extraordinary proposal moment that left his girlfriend speechless. However, Nguyen later revealed the behind-the-scenes story of renting out the Rockefeller Center’s ice-skating rink, as it didn’t come cheap. Additionally, the heartfelt proposal took place in the days following the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting. “Running late in holiday traffic, wiggling through the crowd to get to the rink. We’re surrounded by skaters, giggling, goofing as we normally would on a date,” Nguyen wrote, describing the chaotic yet magical sequence of events.

As part of the couple’s big announcement, Cho had invited 27 of their closest friends and family members to witness the moment, reported the outlet. Many of the guests had reportedly flown in from South Carolina, where Nguyen was born and raised. According to the video creator, Rockefeller had made an announcement to clear the rink so that the authorities could add new ice. When everyone began to skate off, Phil gathered the courage to ask a worker if it was the right time for the couple to take some pictures. Highlighting that the staff at Rockefeller Center agreed to his request, Nguyen shared, “A few (pictures) become many, and we’re the last ones on the rink.”

At this moment, the New Yorker turned to her boyfriend to nervously ask, “Babe, are you sure we shouldn’t get off? We’re last.”

“The overthinker in me is thinking we’re about to get in trouble or [get] kicked off,” recalled Nguyen, adding that the couple continued enjoying the moment by posing for pictures. Suddenly, the lights focused on them, and Nguyen began to hear her all-time favorite song, “Enchanted,” by Taylor Swift. The proposal footage further showed Phil gently pulling his girlfriend in, with tears pouring down his face. Phil pointed toward the crowd holding the biggest sign that spelled: “WILL YOU MARRY ME?”

“I’m so far in the middle, I don’t even realize till after that it’s my SC family, friends and NYC loved ones holding each of the letters!” Nguyen informed through the caption. Following this, Phil delivered an emotional speech that Nguyen claimed she’d never forget. Phil held the video creator’s hands and paused for a moment before jokingly saying, “Babe, I’m going to need your help getting down.” “I’m laughing so hard at this point because we both are not very good ice skaters and [I'm] mind-blown that neither of us has slipped,” Nguyen added, before screaming from her diaphragm a huge yes. The crowd erupted in applause, and Nguyen felt like the entire world was cheering with her.

Among the reactions to the footage, @tchhoun revealed, "I got chills watching this.” “Girl, you got real tears out of me, it was so beautiful to watch. Congrats, darling,” @_beautifulchloe remarked.

You can follow Heather Nguyen (@itbeheather) on Instagram for more wholesome and lifestyle content.