Utah Man Proposes to Girlfriend With a Big Assist From Santa at the Mall

Shaking with excitement and wearing her new sparkling diamond engagement ring, a Utah woman proclaimed this as the “best Christmas ever” after her fiancé — and Santa Claus — surprised her with a marriage proposal at the University Mall in Orem, Utah.

A new survey confirms that the Christmas season is the #1 time of the year for marriage proposals, and Kody Fitzgerald acted right on cue when he conspired with Santa and his helpers to make girlfriend Didi Nateras’ holiday wish come true. TV station KSL was in on the surprise and captured the moment with its hidden cameras.

After waiting their turn with a lot of excited youngsters, it was finally the couple’s turn to meet Santa. “Hi, Didi. How are you?” said the jolly Mr. Claus, as he invited the young lady to sit on his lap as if she were a little girl.

He asked Nateras what she wanted Santa to bring her for Christmas. She glanced at her boyfriend before she shyly responded, "A ring.” Santa paused a moment and then told the young lady, “A ring? Well, you know I've got just enough magic left in my sack, I might be able to make that happen.”

Santa pulled out a ring box and handed it to Nateras. Her boyfriend encouraged her to look inside.

She opened it slowly, only to be disappointed that the box was empty. Sadness turned to jubilation when a few seconds later Fitzgerald got down on one knee and proposed with the diamond solitaire ring of her dreams.

“I want to spend the rest of my life with you," said Fitzgerald. "Will you marry me?”

Nateras said, “Yes,” and Santa chimed in, “You’re going to make me cry.”

Nateras rose from Santa’s lap to embrace her new fiancé. Then the couple was back on Santa’s oversized chair to get his blessing and to pose for a bunch of photos that will surely bring back priceless memories many years from now.

"I wish you the most happiness and a happy, long life for the both of you," Santa said.

With her hands still shaking with excitement, Nateras told KSL, "I mean, I don't think I will ever forget this. This is probably the best Christmas ever."

It’s a fair guess that the “best Christmas ever” phrase will be repeated by countless new brides-to-be over the next few days. A survey conducted by Chilisauce, a UK-based event planning website, confirmed that the Christmas season is the most romantic time of the year. When 7,000 men and women were asked to name the best day to pop the question, 32% said “Christmas Eve” and 13% said “Christmas Day.” The next most popular time for engagements was “Valentine’s Day,” which was named by 30% of respondents.