Boyfriend Lets Mom in on Proposal Surprise — Her Emotional Reaction Becomes a 'Priceless' Video (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Tiffany Halm watches daughter Sabrina Veale get engaged.Photo:Kaylee Word, Sabrina Veale

Kaylee Word, Sabrina Veale

The mother-daughter duo from Fairhope, Alabama, have always shared a close bond. Veale, who works in event planning, describes her mom as her “ride or die” and credits her with always being there to support her.

So, when Veale’s boyfriend, Carson Word, first approached Halm to ask for her daughter’s hand in marriage, he wanted to ensure that she felt included in the proposal. After months of planning, he decided the proposal would take place while the family was together at the beach for Veale’s grandfather’s birthday. Word planned to propose at a pier in front of the family home while loved ones watched from the window.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Tiffany Halm with her daughter Sabrina Veale as a child.Sabrina Veale

Sabrina Veale

On the day of the proposal, as Veale and Word drove toward the beach house, Veale sensed something was up. Her mom had suggested she wear a white dress, which seemed unusual.

Sabrina Veale during her engagement to Carson Word.Kaylee Word

Kaylee Word

“It was the most wonderful, surreal moment,” Halm, 50, tells PEOPLE exclusively, recalling the proposal. “There were so many emotions that day. We were at my parents' house, and I felt my mom’s presence, even though she passed away three years ago. I wished she could be there with us, but I knew she was watching.”

“Witnessing this, especially with the close bond I have with my daughter, was deeply moving. Both of us are very emotional, and it was incredible to see how everything came together,” she adds. “Being there in person and sharing that experience made it even more special. It was a priceless moment, and it’s something I will cherish forever.”

Word’s mom captured Halm’s reaction and the rest of the proposal on camera. When Veale saw the video, she said, “Seeing her face and her reaction made it so much more emotional for me.”

Tiffany Halm hugging daughter Sabrina Veale after she got engaged.Kaylee Word

The next morning, she sent the link to her mom. At that point, the video had 3,000 likes, but it quickly grew to more than 4 million views.

Until then, the mother-daughter duo are excited to enjoy their time together, planning for Veale’s special day.

“Last week, we went wedding dress shopping, and I picked out my dress. We turned it into a girls' weekend, staying at a hotel,” Veale shares. “We enjoyed Five Guys burgers and fries in our hotel room, along with a bottle of prosecco rosé, and watched the first half ofEmily in Paris.”

source: people.com