Sparks fly for the New Year
A CAIRNS romantic proposed to his sweetheart while New Year’s Eve fireworks burst over the Cairns Esplanade – and it was all captured on film.
Sam Coelli and Emily Bradley are ready to take the next giant leap in their lives after getting engaged just as the clock struck midnight on Monday night.
Ms Bradley said she was surprised by the proposal, but was even more shocked at the beautiful engagement ring she was now wearing on her left hand. “It was a surprise,” she said. “We had talked about it maybe once or twice in the past few months, but I definitely wasn’t expecting it within the next year.
“And it was his grandma’s ring, completely remade.”
The couple popped out to the Salt House for a few drinks after watching the Cairns Taipans basketball match, then set out on a sort of pub crawl amassing a large group of old friends along the way.
“I started telling everyone the plan after we got to the Courtyard,” Mr Coelli said.
The group walked to the Esplanade, the fireworks shot into the sky, and Mr Coelli dropped to one knee to ask the question. Ms Bradley said yes. “That was it,” he said. “To me, it was perfect.” The young Cairns locals intend to move to Brisbane this year to pursue new careers.
Mr Coelli, a security guard, hopes to start a new trade apprenticeship while his fiancee is completing her nursing degree.
“I’m so happy,” she said.