Mitchell McAulay - Powell proposes to Rhiannon Williams with coffee message at The Two Professors Rockhampton

A Rockhampton woman got the surprise of her life at the weekend when her coffee order was placed in front of her at a popular CBD cafe. SEE THE SPECIAL MOMENT HERE.

Rockhampton woman Rhiannon Williams got the surprise of her life at the weekend when her coffee order was placed in front of her at popular CBD cafe The Two Professors.

Written in the chocolate powder on top of her cappuccino were the words ‘Marry Me?’ - a sweet proposal from her partner Mitchell McAulay -Powell - and she said yes.

It was a simple proposal as far public engagements go, but it had sentimental meaning to the pair who both love coffee, and have been enjoying breakfast and a brew together every weekend for two years.

Mitchell McAulay - Powell proposes to Rhiannon Williams with a coffee message at The Two Professors Rockhampton

The Two Professors has been their regular coffee spot in that time and they both agree that Two Professors is a great local business with the best coffee in town.

It’s a business that seems to hold a special place in the couple’s hearts, a sentiment that was echoed by Mr McAulay – Powell.

The couple joked that he even suited up for the occasion with his choice of T-shirt.

“They’ve been a lot of help behind the scenes,” Mr McAulay – Powell said.

“They (the staff) were more nervous than me.”

Quite possibly the sweetest looking cup of coffee to be made at The Two Professors.

When asked if he was worried about anything that could go wrong on the day of the proposal, his biggest worry was that Ms Williams would just stick her spoon in the coffee and stir it, without even looking at the top of it.

That didn’t happen though, fortunately.

Mr McAulay – Powell did get noticeably nervous, however, when the two of them walked into the shop holding hands and his soon to be fiance asked about his sweaty hand.

Two Professors staff member Sonya Neal secretly filmed the proposal, while a co-worker brought in a bunch of roses from their garden and the owner and manager worked with Mr McAulay-Powell for a month prior to special order a custom stencil for the occasion.

“It was beautiful,” Ms Neal said.

“It’s nice to get a bit of romance, you know, back into life.

“In my whole working life it (the marriage proposal) has never happened.

“It was such a great idea.”

The customers who were in the shop when it happened got teary-eyed and swept up in the romance of the moment and went out of their way to congratulate the happy couple.

A custom made stencil was special ordered a month prior to the proposal.

As far as first impressions go pre-dating, Mr McAulay - Powell, who works as a relief teacher, first caught Ms Williams’ eye because he was wearing purple acrylic nails.

He later explained the nails were a show of support for students who were struggling with their sexual identity.

In the time they have been together Mr McAulay – Powell hasn’t worn acrylic nails again, but he still cares about the children he teaches.

His love of children is something he has in common with Ms Williams, who works as a nurse in the maternity ward at the Mater Hospital Rockhampton.

Originally published as Mitchell McAulay - Powell proposes to Rhiannon Williams with coffee message at The Two Professors Rockhampton