A Hanover Park couple’s surprise marriage proposal in a taxi has gone viral on social media.
Leslie de Bruin, 46, was filmed asking his girlfriend, Jennifer Smith, 42, while riding home together.
After dating for just over a year, the security guard decided it was now or never and surprised the blushing bride-to-be, by showing up at the clothing factory she works at in Athlone Industria on Friday.
The divorced father of two says he first saw his future wife at a birthday party just over a year ago.
FILLED WITH JOY: Jennifer, 42, parades her ring
“She was very busy, up and down at the braai, and I thought maybe she was the people’s maid,” he jokes.
Jennifer explains: “It was my landlord’s birthday and when Les asked me if I work for the people I asked him: ‘ vir wat vat jy vir my?’”
It was that moment that Leslie says he started falling in love with Jennifer: “ Sy was lekker sterkgevriet and I wanted to get to know her.”
Jennifer says friends at the party convinced her to give Leslie a chance.
“Every time I had a boyfriend, he wasn’t a good man,” she says.
“Sometimes they would jol or I find out later that the man is married so I was feeling hopeless, but I said they can give him my number.
“The first time he asked if he could visit me, I soema asked him straight what he wants from me because I don’t have time for games.”
Leslie says his children adore Jennifer, and that she “saved” him.
“I spent many nights alone and would drink, but having Jennifer changed my life,” he says.
MY RIDE OR DIE: Leslie de Bruin, 46, proposes to Jennifer Smith aboard an Athlone taxi
Jennifer says several weeks ago, Leslie took her to a jeweller in Wynberg to get an idea of what she would like.
“I thought we were going to put the ring on lay-by and then when we had money, we’d go back.”
In the video, Leslie is seen leaning over a seat, holding the ring and telling her: “J enny, jy weet jy maak my gelukkig en ek het besef ek kan nie sonder jou nie. Wil jy nie my vrou wees nie?”
Loud cheers are heard as her colleagues urge her to say yes.
“I got a helse skrik, I didn’t expect it, but I said yes,” says a happy Jennifer.
MY RIDE OR DIE: Leslie de Bruin, 46, proposes to Jennifer Smith aboard an Athlone taxi
Leslie says he planned to propose as Jennifer left the factory and nearly missed his chance: “The joke is I couldn’t find her and I just saw the taxi come past me so I thought it’s now or never.”
They cannot afford a wedding right now, but they are saving up to buy a house first.
monique.duval@inl.co.za