A COUPLE have celebrated their first Valentine's Day as parents by getting engaged at their daughter’s hospital bedside.
Scaffolder David Waite, from Thornaby, had planned to propose to partner Kennedy Henry during a romantic weekend away.
But when their five-month-old daughter Ivy became poorly and was admitted to hospital, they had to put the plans on hold.
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Instead, the 39-year-old, who was also celebrating his birthday, popped the question while down on one knee next to Ivy’s cot at the University Hospital of North Tees.
He said: “We were looking forward to going away at the weekend and I was going to propose to Kennedy then – I’d been telling Ivy about it all week.
“But with everything we’ve all been through with Ivy being poorly, it just felt right today.”
Retail worker Kennedy, 26, said: “I’m over the moon. I really didn’t expect it – it’s such a lovely surprise and I’m so glad it happened while we were with Ivy.”
The pair are looking forward to an engagement party with their family and friends in July and hope to marry in 2024.
To celebrate the newly-engaged couple, the team in the children’s ward at the University Hospital of North Tees showered Kennedy and David with gifts, including sweet treats and balloons.
Staff on the ward also made a special Valentine’s Day card for the couple using Ivy’s footprint to make a heart.
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Play specialist Jennie Hobbs who witnessed the special moment said: “We all want to say a huge congratulations to Kennedy, David and, of course, to little Ivy on her first ever Valentine’s Day.
“This has made everyone’s day here in the children’s ward and has really cheered us all up. We’re all very excited.”
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