The mystery couple behind a chalk-written proposal at this year's Medway Pride festival have come forward.

Organisers put out a plea to find the couple last month, after the marriage proposal appeared on the pavement near the festival's chalk gallery.

This week Bee Hawkins got in touch with KentOnline, having been sent a link to the story by a friend - and explained the chalked question was down to them

Thankfully Bee was also able to chalk the answer on the pavement too, after partner Deen McDonald said yes.

Bee, who now lives in Ashford, explained their story began early last year, when they were both students in Canterbury and the relationship soon blossomed.

"We got together in February 2020, but then immediately moved in together because of the pandemic," said Bee, 22. "We had to live together or live completely apart.

"We pretty much lived together until two months ago when he moved away from his uni house."

With Deen, 21, now set to study film production in Canada until May next year, the couple decided they wanted to get engaged.

And they explained the proposal was "unconventional", in the traditional sense.

"He proposed to me in June," said Bee. "I'm non-binary and he's come out as trans, so we're unconventional in the grand scheme of things. He previously proposed to me, but I still wanted my chance to propose as well.

"When he asked me if I wanted to go to Pride I thought this is the perfect opportunity. We almost didn't get in though - we tried booking tickets but they were sold out, so we were lucky to get in on the door.

"Throughout the whole day I was trying to think of the perfect opportunity. I didn't want to draw attention of the crowd away from the performers but I did want to make it special. I spent quite a lot of time in the chalk area, just drawing, and then I thought it would be a sweet way to propose - so I wrote it down and later on we walked past it. He was looking at the drawings and saw the text and said 'that's sweet'.

"By that point I had already dropped to one knee," they added. "It was magical."

"I never thought I would get the chance of having that opportunity and with the atmosphere around being wonderful and loving."

Bee said the proposal had caught the attention of a few people nearby but that they had successfully avoided becoming the centre of attention.

"Everyone was mainly involved in their own things", they added. "There were a few people smiling at us and there was a really nice lady who bought us both an ice cream."

Although their are no fixed plans for the wedding, the couple are aiming for a date in 2026.

In the meantime they've been invited onto Medway Pride radio where they are due to meet singer Elberace, aka Gay Elvis, who performed at Pride and has offered to sing at the wedding.

Medway Pride director Shea Coffey, said it was fantastic to get in touch with Bee and Deen.

She said: "Naturally we are thrilled to be able to meet them, and will be inviting them to our Pride fundraiser at the end of the month where they can meet some of the radio's team and Elberace.

"Personally I think that being able to finish telling this story brings a beautiful end to what was a wonderful first Medway Pride."

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