Art popped the question to Marilyn inside a private igloo at Gatton Park’s Winter Village in downtown Lexington, Kentucky, on December 17.
At a Glance
- Art asked Marilyn to marry him after four decades of living next door.
- The proposal happened inside a cozy igloo beneath the park’s Christmas light show.
- A TikTok clip of the moment has over 1.2 million views and 250,000 likes.
- Why it matters: Their story shows love can bloom at any age, even after loss.
The couple, both longtime Lexington residents, had lived side by side for more than 40 years yet only grew close after each lost a spouse they had cared for through illness. Their shared grief turned into friendship, then romance.
The Proposal
Inside the transparent igloo, Art knelt as Marilyn stood smiling, the towering tree behind them twinkling.
“It’s been just miraculous to get to know you, and what a terrific person you are. You’re charitable and kind, quirky, and just a lot of fun to be with. So, asking you if you would marry me,” Art said.
Marilyn answered, “Art, I would love to marry you, with all my heart and love and soul. I can think of nothing else I would love to do than marry you. Forever. Forever.”
Before placing the ring on her finger, Art added, “It would be great that we get to love and hold each other into our golden years.”
Marilyn teased, “Well, that’ll be a long time though. Is that okay?”
When she saw the diamond, she gasped. “Oh, my goodness, Art! Oh my heavens!” He then slipped the ring onto her finger.
Social Media Reaction
The video posted to TikTok quickly spread, collecting:
- 1.2 million views
- 250,000 likes
- Over 4,000 comments
Users called the moment “precious,” with one writing, “They sound just like a young couple who has their whole lives ahead of them, together.”
Another commented, “She’s just a girl and he’s just a boy.”
Life Away From the Spotlight
Despite the online attention, Art and Marilyn prefer quiet routines. Family members told News Of Los Angeles the pair enjoy:
- Attending church together
- Social events with friends
- Family gatherings
- Plays and musical shows
Their story, first reported by Olivia M. Hartwell, has resonated because it underscores that companionship can emerge when least expected, even after decades of knowing a neighbor only in passing.
Key Takeaways
- Longtime neighbors can become life partners when timing and circumstances shift.
- Public celebrations of late-in-life love challenge stereotypes about aging and romance.
- Simple, heartfelt proposals often create the most powerful moments, both offline and online.
