Puffin rescue effort turns into a surprise proposal

When you think of romance, puffins rarely if ever come to mind. However, for two Virginia natives visiting Newfoundland, the seabirds played a key role in their wedding proposal.

Amanda Fallon and Ginny Kinsey first became aware of Newfoundland after seeing the documentary "Puffin Patrol" which features the efforts ofcatching and releasinglost puffins in Witless Bay.

"Ever since I was a kid I've loved puffins, so Amanda took me to the film festival, and then it immediately became like a bucket list thing," Kinsey said

Fallonthen decided there was no better time to pop the question while the couple were doing what they love. She decided to plan a surprise proposal.

In order to keep her plan under wraps she had to find a photographer who was willing to go undercover.

Covert Ops

Fallon planned the proposal months in advance and carefully plotted out every detail.

"So the plan was to go out on a boat and have Ginny release a puffin,and then after she did," Fallon said.

"The weather was perfect, the birds cooperated and everything went swimmingly."

Fallon discovered local photographerMaddie Mills through her websiteand approached Mills with her romantic scheme.

• Annual rescue of pufflings baby puffins underway in Witless Bay

Fortunately for Fallon, Mills was more than happy to take part in espionage for a good cause. The two women made a coordinated effort to realize Fallon's dream.

"It was definitely a joint effort in terms of me going on the boat, but Ginny had seen my name come up in Amanda's phone so I was nervous she had googled me," Mills said.

"So I showed up in a hat from Bagel Cafe and sunglasses; trying to, ya know, assimilate with everybody."

A trip to remember

Fallon and Kinsey have spent over a week on the island, and their time here has left a lasting impression.

They both speak highly of the everyday efforts of those involved with the Puffin Patrol and urge others to volunteer.

Their fondness for the people of the province goes further than the puffins.

"I would recommend this province for anybody, for any reason, anytime. I mean what I saw online was a beautiful landscape and beautiful coastline,"Fallon said.

"But the people here,the feeling,the genuineness, it's something that we will definitely take home with us and share with as many people as we can."

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