An unusual proposal in uncertain times makes Mum’s day as partner gets little one to ask a very important question

A Mum from Pinxton in Derbyshire, who has faced the difficulties of having a premature baby during lockdown, was blown away recently when her partner of eight years, asked her to marry him in a rather unusual, but romantic way.

After giving birth to their baby son ten weeks early at King’s Mill Hospital on 3 August, Sian Stafford’s partner, John Sellors, 29 decided that Sian needed a boost and so thought it was time to make a romantic gesture and pop the question. But he wanted to do it in a special way and involve their new-born son, Cobie, who was two days old at the time, weighing just 3lb 9oz.

John carefully planned the surprise with nurses on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at King’s Mill Hospital in Mansfield, who gladly helped put a note in two-day-old Cobie’s incubator alongside the engagement ring John had bought, asking if ‘Mummy would marry Daddy’.

John said: “I’m not usually the romantic type, but I really wanted to do something to lift Sian’s spirits and she had been dropping hints for a while about wanting to get married. The nurses were great and really helped make it a special proposal to remember. They just told me to take Sian for a coffee and that they would sort it out for when we got back. When we got back the message and ring were there and I was such a lovely moment, I can’t thank them enough.”

Sian, 26, added: “I was so shocked, I really didn’t expect it and I was really overwhelmed. When we got back on to the unit, the nurses told me that Cobie had been taken off his CPAP breathing machine and so I needed to go and look, as I would be able to see his face more. I was concentrating so much on Cobie that I didn’t even notice the note and the ring at first! But then John said, ‘look, I think Cobie wants to know something!’ Then I read the note and it was such a surreal but happy moment. ”

Talking about the birth and her time in hospital, Sian added: “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind as Cobie arrived so early, we had to call an ambulance and I didn’t really believe I was in labour until I was on the birthing unit with John and they were saying I was going to have Cobie that day. The midwives, nurses and all the staff have been amazing and so supportive, it’s really difficult at the moment, as I feel that I’m having to split myself in two to see my daughter, Ruby, whilst also seeing Cobie on the unit, as she can’t come in to see him due to the Covid-19 restrictions, but it will all be worth it in the end.”

When asked about their wedding plans Sian added: “We are currently concentrating on getting Cobie home, but yes we will hopefully start planning once things have settled down for us.”

Cobie is the couple’s second child, as he has a big sister called Ruby who is four, who hasn’t been able to meet her little brother in person yet due to Covid-19 restrictions. John added: “It’s been really difficult not being able to let Ruby meet him, she can’t wait to give him a cuddle and say hello to her new baby brother. We can’t wait to have the whole family together once Cobie can be discharged from hospital. She has been doing video calls with us to see him, but we can’t wait to get him home so that they can meet in person.”

Deputy Sister on the Neonatal Ward at Sherwood Forest Hospitals, Lynsey Lord, who helped with the planning of the surprise proposal said: “It was such a special moment to be part of. It’s not often we get the chance to be involved in a proposal on the unit and this was certainly a first for me, but it was so lovely to see the family all so happy, especially during what has been such a difficult time for everyone. It was so nice to help celebrate such happy news.”

Cobie is still on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at King’s Mill Hospital, but is doing well and continues to improve, with the family hoping to bring him home in the next few weeks.