High school dances are a highlight in many people’s lives. It’s a time where you gather with friends, dress up, and dance the night away.
Not much has changed since then. It’s still something students look forward to, particularly when you have a sweetheart to share the experience with.
David Matthew Cowan, a student at Seminole High School, had just that.
Cowan considers himself a lucky young man. He and his girlfriend, Saris Marie Garcia, have been together since she was 14-years-old and he, 15.
That was four years ago.
Even after four years, Cowan consistently attempts to keep his girlfriend happy. Surprises are often appreciated and Cowan recently gave her one that she will never forget.
Garcia attends a different high school than Cowan but that doesn’t stop the couple from seeing each other.
Cowan’s high school’s homecoming dance was around the corner and he wanted to make his proposal to Garcia especially memorable.
He came up with something that was both touching and brave!
While Garcia was cheerleading at her high school’s football game, Cowan surprised her with a handmade sign that read, “Will you be my sunshine to homecoming?”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B25TYfEl4Or/
The sign was thoughtfully decorated with yellow dandelions around the perimeter. In addition to the sign, Cowan also brought her flowers and balloons.
The video is touching as Cowan approaches an unaware Garcia as she and her cheer squad stand in formation on the sidelines of the football field.
Cowan shows no sign of nervousness. He strides with confidence towards his girlfriend.
When she turns and sees him, she excitedly places her hands over her mouth, drops her pom-poms, and immediately goes to him.
Her smile is wide and genuine. She takes the sign and hugs him.
There isn’t a frown in sight.
If that wasn’t enough to make your heart melt, he gets down on one knee, takes her hand, and kisses it.
The crowd cheers as Cowan stands and raises his hands in the air.
The moment, captured on video of course, is a viral sensation. The video, posted on Facebook by Garcia, has over 4 million views.
Her mom, Wanda Cruz, couldn’t be happier for the young couple.
She told Yahoo Lifestyle:
“She was radiant! She said many times, ‘I can’t believe it!'”
She also shared how excited Cowan was before the proposal:
“He was so excited and dancing in the bleachers, saying, ‘Shhh, its a surprise! I am asking her to Homecoming!’”
Despite both of them having Down’s Syndrome, they lead normal lives and found love along the way.
Ironically, the two met when they were just 3-years-old while taking speech therapy at a clinic in Orlando.
Cowan and his family moved to Pembroke Pines. Months later, Garcia’s family moved to a city nearby. As fate would have it, the two ended up at the same private school but didn’t even know it.
Over time, the two families became close, as did Cowan and Garcia.
Cruz said that their “friendship and relationship just blossomed.”
Other than being a student, Garcia models. In fact, the couple’s photo was recently displayed at Times Square to begin Down Syndrome Awareness month.
As for that dance? The couple attended Cowan’s homecoming on September 28th. It looks like they had a great time!
“Kids went crazy cheering for them,” Cruz said.
Congratulations to these two lovebirds! They may not be aware but their relationship gives hope to others with Down’s Syndrome and show the world that love is for everybody.
They are goals!
Watch his proposal video below!
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