We are in the midst of a global financial crisis. Planes are crashing. Innocent bystanders are falling victim to gruesome murders spurred by drug trafficking. Innocent girls are missing. Isn’t it about time for some happy news?

Auburn University senior Anna Willard was the bearer of happy tidings as she recounted the unbelievable proposal she received from her now fiancé, Will Headley. The proposal involved Disney World, fireworks (literal and figurative), dozens of red roses and so much romance you would think it was a Meg Ryan-Tom Hanks movie.

Willard, 22, and Headley, 24, are both Orlando, Fla. natives. Disney World seemed like a natural choice to propose considering their first date was at the Disney Yacht Club and their one year anniversary involved a private boat tour of the Disney lagoon.

“It was just amazing,” Willard said. The date began like any other: Arriving at a restaurant, the Grand Floridian, to meet friends for dinner. Since they were early, the pair decided to take a stroll on the beach. Suddenly, Willard sees rose petals in the shape of a heart in the sand. In the middle is a single long-stemmed rose. There Headley kneels and proposes.

Already a pretty adorable story, like Disney, there was behind the scenes magic. Disney staff had lined the path, signaling each other to clear the beach as the couple approached so they could be alone. Also, Headley had asked a friend, a professional photographer, to take pictures of the affair—a Disney souvenir aside from Mickey Mouse ears.

From there, the couple walked back to have a private dinner on the terrace. “When I sit down, I am directly across the lake from Cinderella’s castle,” Willard said. A private chef prepares the menu selected by Headley as a personal butler attends to their every need. As they ate, a digital picture frame scrolled through countless photographs of the couple throughout their relationship.

What would a great date be without dessert, right? Waiting for the final course, they strolled around only to return to a chocolate-peanut butter torte with a chocolate tiara. Peanut butter is Willard’s favorite desert. “Will had it perfectly timed that as we sat down to eat desert, the fireworks go off over Magic Kingdom.”

“Everything was just spectacular, amazing.”

The creative genius behind this elaborate engagement? “Will did it all by himself,” Willard said. Headley had already displayed a niche for creating ultra-romantic dates, but this is quickly becoming a proposal legend in the Auburn community. He also did some sneaking and collaborating with Willard’s friends to ensure she got the ring of her dreams.

They are planning to get married next spring after Willard finishes earning her degree in civil engineering. The Orlando-natives plan to stay just that.

Now if that isn’t a fairytale, what is?



Find more videos like this on The Loveliest Village