Skip to content

Somerset sand art helps seal Birmingham man's proposal

@d0oner a giant love-heart drawn in sand on brean beach@d0oner
Nothing says "I love you" more than a giant piece of sand art, says Joe Cartwright

A sand artist has helped a couple from Birmingham become engaged by creating a giant love-heart on a beach in Somerset.

Joe Cartwright asked artist Simon Beck to help him pop the question in style.

The giant love-heart proposal was kept secret from his girlfriend and soon to be fiancee.

He led Sam O'Donnell on a birthday walk in Brean but it was only when they reached the cliff top that she saw his marriage proposal and said yes.

@d0oner Joe Cartwright and fiance Sam O'Donnell@d0oner
The couple has been together for 10 years
@d0oner The couple look down at the proposal message written in the sand below@d0oner
Sam was unaware of the celebration being planned down on the beach

The couple, who are aged 29 and live in Kings Heath, first met at school.

Joe said: "We didn't see each other for a couple of years after, but we got back in touch and got together. We have four kids together now."

"Just after Christmas, we had a Chinese takeaway and in my fortune cookie, it said 'marry your match', so I thought I must do it now."

Brean is a special place for Joe, who has been visiting since he was six months old.

He said: "It was the family destination, some of the best memories of my life," and it was also where he previously encountered Mr Beck.

@d0oner wide view of beach with love-heart and geometrical pattern@d0oner
Simon Beck said he was pleased his artwork had helped to seal the deal

The artist is well known for using plough-like tools to create intricate geometrical sand drawings on a large scale that last only for the time between tides.

He said: "I wanted to centre the lettering along the centre line. I think it looks about right.

"They did seem absolutely delighted.

"Sam gave me a big hug. It was a lovely occasion."

On the day of the proposal it was also Sam's birthday.

Joe said: "I'd been so stressed about the ring and the proposal that I had forgotten to get her a birthday card.

"She wasn't my friend that morning. I was nervous. I was out of breath when we got to the top of the hill, but she had no idea I was going to pop the question and by one o'clock she was over the moon."