Yahoo Lifestyle All the Details of DeVon Franklin and Maria Castillo's 'Dream Come True' Engagement in Hawaii (Exclusive)
"I’m still in awe of how it all happened! It was such a beautiful surprise, and I can’t even put into words how happy I am!" the bride-to-be tells PEOPLE
Preacher and producer DeVon Franklin is engaged!
While on a holiday vacation in Hawaii on Dec. 27, 2024, Franklin surprised his girlfriend of a year, celebrity trainer Maria Castillo, by popping the question during a photo shoot outside The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua.
"Finding Maria has been one of God’s greatest blessings in my life, so I wanted the proposal to be as special as our love," Franklin tells PEOPLE. "We went to Maui for vacation, I told her we were gonna do a photo shoot and during the photo shoot I surprised her with the proposal! It was truly a magical moment and I can’t wait to spend a magical life with Maria!”
Franklin, 46, and Castillo, 29, walked hand-in-hand on the beach at sunset wearing white outfits, and stopped to pose together at several scenic spots. Eventually, the best-selling author led Castillo to a grassy cliff overlooking the ocean.
"You know, this whole time has really been an engagement photo shoot," Franklin told Castillo, who reacted in disbelief.
She shouted things like "Wait!" and "Baby, what are you doing?!" before dropping to the ground with her mouth agape as Franklin got down on one knee, pulled out a custom engagement ring designed by Carlotta Sarenas, and asked her to marry him.
"I’m still in awe of how it all happened! It was such a beautiful surprise, and I can’t even put into words how happy I am!" Castillo tells PEOPLE. "To know I’ll be spending the rest of my life with this incredible man is a dream come true. Here’s to forever with the love of my life!”
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After Franklin slid a sparkling diamond ring on her finger, Castillo began excitedly jumping up and down before kissing her fiancé and telling him, "You're a beautiful human." Franklin replied, "We're beautiful together."
The proposal was planned by Riley Canty of The Yes Girls.
The couple met about a year ago when Castillo's then-business partner, trainer Mike Trusdale, introduced them to one another. Because Trusdale, who was also a friend of Franklin's, thought the two would be a great match, he arranged a brunch for them last spring. Since meeting, they've been inseparable.
The pair made their red carpet debut at The Pink Awards in Georgia on Oct. 12, 2024. They stepped out together again the following month at the Merge Awards Gala, which honors individuals who successfully combine their faith with their work in entertainment.
Read the original article on People
