Everyone in on proposal

Most guys get down on one knee to propose to their beloved.

For Richmond’s Kevin Li, a simple declaration of his love wasn’t enough.

The 30- year- old longtime Stevestonite put together a minute- by- minute itinerary, enlisted the help of more than 25 close friends and family to wear T- shirts with each one spelling out a letter to “Will you marry me?” and had 150 helium balloons ready to fly if Rita Chiu said yes.

Last Saturday, at Garry Point Park, Chiu, 25, got the surprise of her life.

“I’m still in shock,” she said laughing nervously on the phone. “Kevin told me we were going to Garry Point to have a scavenger hunt with my niece.”

Unbeknownst to her, everyone was hiding behind the bushes and trees in the Kuno Japanese Garden. Suddenly, Li turns her around and she sees everyone — from her 82- yearold grandfather to her 18- month- old niece — wearing pink T- shirts emblazoned with the letters.

“Kevin then got down on one knee and proposed,” said Chiu, adding she was so shocked she didn’t respond at first.

“I had no words, I just went blank … then I said yes.”

The couple met during a church function two and a half years ago. Six months later, they started dating.

“He grew on me,” quipped Chiu. “I was attracted to how very smart he is and he’s really fun. We actually started dating on Aug. 18, 2010, the same date he proposed to me on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, Li thanks his lucky stars his future bride accepted his proposal.

“Lucky for me, Rita said yes,” joked Li.