SHE has always taken the initiative in their relationship.
And yesterday Victoria Whitfield surprised builder Richard Caines with a Leap Year proposal.
It was she who arranged their first date when they met just over a year ago.
And so it was only natural that when it came to taking the next step, Victoria would again take the lead.
She did just that when she proposed to her man live on air.
The mum-of-three popped the question to the unsuspecting 28-year-old on Real Radio.
Richard was working on a building site in Leeds at the time.
Victoria, 27, said: “I texted him telling him to pick up the phone and listen in.
“I was shaking and very nervous as I’d never been on the radio.
“I told him that I loved him and asked him to marry me and he said ‘yes, you know I will’!”
“He was already down the scaffolding so luckily had his two feet firmly on the floor!”
The couple, who live in Denby Dale, met when Richard was working on an extension near the home of Victoria’s mum.
Victoria would stop to talk to him and she gave him her number so that they could arrange their first date at The Red Kite pub in Wakefield.
Soon into the relationship Victoria discovered that she was expecting but the couple were thrilled.
Poppy was born nine weeks ago and her mum – who also has sons Joshua and Max from a previous relationship – decided the time was right to get married.
But, says Victoria, she was always going to be the one to pop the question.
She said: “We’d discussed it but he said to me that because I asked him out I had to ask him to marry me!
“I’d actually forgotten that the 29th was coming up until Richard texted me last week telling me.
“I think he knew in the back of his mind that I was going to ask him, but he later told me I was mad!
“We’ve got a little family and the time felt right – we’re both really happy.”
As well as gaining a future husband Victoria also won a stay at a luxury hotel as a result of winning the radio competition.
And she is now looking forward to planning their dream wedding.
