He held the key to her heart

Receiving the keys to your first home build is a moment worth re-living, especially if it involves a marriage proposal – which is exactly what Mandurah resident Casey Garnett did.

Mr Garnett surprised his long-term partner Brittany Fee by organising a marriage proposal inside the couple’s newly minted Dale Alcock home in Lakelands. As Mr Garnett didn’t have access to the new abode on the day he wanted to propose, he had to enlist the help of Dale Alcock Homes’ team members to organise the special occasion, and they were more than happy to help.

Site supervisor Dave Schneider and Customer Relations Team Leader Kara McAllan liaised with Mr Garnett for about a month to make sure everything went perfectly.

On the big day, a personalised sign, pink heart-shaped balloons and a bottle of champagne were ready and waiting when the couple went to pick up the keys.

With their lives consumed by the home build, Ms Fee had no idea Mr Garnett was about to pop the question.

“I totally didn’t see it coming,” she said. “As soon as I read the sign, I turned around and saw him down on one knee and I fell to the floor crying with happiness.

“Casey’s brother was able to capture the moment on video. I look back on it now and still get emotional. Keys to our home and a stunning new engagement ring.”

Mr Garnett said he knew he was ready to take the next step in his relationship with Ms Fee, who he had been dating for three years.

“It was a big step in the next chapter of our lives,” he said.

“Knowing we had just achieved our goal of building a brand-new home, I couldn’t think of a better time to ask Brittany to be my wife and share this journey together.”

Mr Schneider said this was the first time he had helped plan a surprise marriage proposal during a key handover and felt privileged to have been a part of such a momentous occasion.

“I have to say it was amazing to be part of something so special, ” he said.

“From everyone at Dale Alcock Homes, we wish Brittany and Casey all the best and years of happiness in their new home and life together.”

Thanking the team at Dale Alcock for all the extra effort they went through during the proposal and building process, Ms Fee said she and Mr Garnett were thrilled with their choice to build a new home.

“We do plan on living here for a while, so it needed to be right,” she said. “Renovating was mentioned, but we live a busy lifestyle and we wouldn’t have had the time to get anything done.”