Finding love at work: Ruben Smith's viral Pick n Pay proposal proves romance is alive this month of love
Ruben Smith's romantic proposal to Yolanda Booysen has captured the hearts of thousands of people.
Image: Supplied
In the bustling heart of Promenade Mall, amidst the rhythmic beep of scanners and the daily hum of grocery shoppers, an extraordinary romance was quietly blooming.
For Ruben Smith and Yolanda Booysen, the local Pick n Pay wasn't just a workplace. It was the setting for a modern-day fairytale that has recently captured the hearts of thousands on TikTok.
The story began less than a year ago when Smith started his new job.
Amidst the rush of his first few weeks, one face stood out.
Smith, a 42-year-old with a “lovely sense of humour” and a deep passion for the outdoors, found himself captivated by Booysen’s presence.
Both residents of Westridge, Mitchell’s Plain, found a unique connection within the walls of the store.
“I noticed her and grew fond of her by seeing her each and every day,” Smith recalls.
What started as a workplace friendship quickly deepened.
Smith saw in Booyson a “beautiful soul” with a personality that mirrored his own love for life and laughter.
It wasn't long before he decided to take a leap of faith, asking her for a chance to show her that “there are still genuine [men] who make females feel like they are valued and is worthed.”
Smith speaks of Booyson with a deep and soulful sincerity. He describes her as a woman who puts everyone above herself.
Smith describes Booyson as a woman who puts everyone above herself.
Image: Supplied
When asked what it was that truly stole his heart, he points to “her whole personality. Her smile, her beautiful eyes, her laughter and her way she just handles people in general.”
But it’s the quiet, personal moments that ground their relationship. He admits that the way she looks at him with her green and blue eyes makes his knees weak.
While most people might choose a quiet dinner or a scenic viewpoint, Smith chose an unusual and deeply personal stage for his proposal.
Right in front of the cashier desks, where the pulse of the store is loudest, he dropped to one knee.
The footage of the surprise has since gone viral, showing a moment of pure and raw emotion.
Surrounded by their cheering colleagues, Yolanda was caught completely off guard.
Smith remembers the moment vividly. “She was shocked, nervous, overwhelmed, and even shaking when I went down on my knees to propose. She didn't expect [it].”
With February being the month of love and Valentine’s Day just around the corner, this story serves as a beautiful reminder that romance is all around us.
The couple isn't waiting long to start their next chapter. They have officially set the date for March 26.
In keeping with their down-to-earth nature, they plan to wed at Home Affairs before hosting a reception for friends and family on March 28.
As Smith puts it, they want their day to be “simple and small,” focusing on the core of their bond.
It’s a heartwarming story that proves love can find you anywhere, even while you're at work, ready to change your life forever.