In a story that perfectly captures the spirit of the season, a simple act of generosity on social media has paved the way for a lifetime of happiness for one couple. A Canadian woman's decision to pass on a piece of her past has resulted in a heartwarming Christmas Day engagement.
The Selfless Gesture That Started It All
Martina Boreland, from Prince Edward Island, Canada, found herself with an engagement ring from a previous marriage that she felt she no longer needed. Rather than selling it, she chose a more meaningful path. She took to Facebook to offer the ring for free, hoping to give someone else a special start. "I wanted to give someone something really meaningful and special that they could share with the love of their life, especially around Christmas," Boreland explained.
Her criteria were specific: she was looking for someone who was hardworking and had been saving for a ring but was struggling to afford one. The post garnered a huge response, but one message stood out from the rest.
A Plea That Stood Out From the Crowd
That message was from Kalen Macadam. He wrote passionately about his partner, Amanda Rogers, describing her as the definition of his world who had brought him out of a dark place. "She gave me more than I ever thought anyone ever could … I’ve been trying and trying to save up for a ring for her, but life just won’t let me," his message read, citing bills and the needs of their children as constant financial priorities.
Deeply moved by his story, Boreland selected Kalen as the recipient. The pair met in person to complete the handover, an act Macadam said "melted" his heart. The ring lifted a significant financial burden, allowing him to focus on the romantic gesture he had long dreamed of.
A Festive 'Yes' and the Popularity of Holiday Proposals
In a fitting twist, Facebook was also the platform where Macadam first met his now-fiancée, Amanda, four years ago. He chose Christmas Day to propose, and she, of course, said yes. "I don’t think I could ask for a better woman, nor would I want to," a delighted Macadam said afterwards.
This festive proposal aligns with broader trends. A significant Facebook survey from 2015 found that Christmas Eve is the most popular day to propose, with Christmas Day itself a very close second. The study of over 2.6 million engaged people revealed that a staggering 30% of engagements happen across November and December.
Experts suggest the holiday season is popular for proposals as it allows couples to combine a gift with the engagement, or provides ample time to plan for a summer wedding. For Kalen Macadam and Amanda Rogers, however, the timing was simply perfect, made possible by one stranger's extraordinary kindness.
