Stacey Norman’s fairytale proposal that left us in tears

Loading player...
January usually arrives with empty bank accounts, long emails and the emotional hangover of December. Romance? Not so much. For Stacey Norman, this year’s first month flipped the script completely, delivering a moment so magical it left colleagues, friends and listeners misty-eyed.
Even J Sbu couldn’t believe the timing. “Who has the audacity in January to go down on one knee?” he joked. Yet, while most of us are still recovering financially and emotionally, Stacey’s now fiancé, Dylan MacDonald, decided this was exactly the right moment to change their lives forever.
A date night with suspicious hints
It all started with what sounded like a simple plan: a fancy dinner to mark the end of the holidays before work kicked off again. However, there were hints. Nails. Hair. Dressing up properly. For someone who proudly calls herself the “Nancy Drew of KZN”, Stacey noticed everything.
“Men can lie, but they can’t keep a secret,” she laughed, explaining how Dylan and her best friend Filipe were both unusually invested in her grooming. Still, after years of heartbreak and what she openly calls “questionable choices”, Stacey chose not to overthink it.
The moment everything changed
Dinner was at the Oyster Box, the same place where their love story began on their very first date. Already emotional, Stacey returned from a quick break to find a singer performing “Endless Love”.
Her internal alarm bells went wild. Dylan’s calm response to her panic? “Do you trust me?”
Instead of heading to a familiar bar, they were guided through a hidden garden, past a pool Stacey didn’t even know existed. Then she saw it: a candlelit gazebo, rose petals underfoot and a moment that felt completely unreal.
Tears, nerves and the easiest yes
Both of them were crying when Dylan dropped to one knee, steady and certain. Whatever speech he had planned melted away, replaced by words that landed straight in Stacey’s heart. He asked her to marry him.
Her first response, perfectly Stacey? “What did you say?” She wanted to hear it again. And then she said yes.
Close friends were quietly watching, capturing a moment Stacey never thought would come. After years of waiting, doubting and healing, she finally got her forever.
12 Jan English South Africa Society & Culture · Personal Journals

Other recent episodes

The Great Drive Debate: Is littering laziness or disrespect?

Is littering simply a bad habit, or does it show a lack of respect for others and the environment? Stacey and J Sbu unpack South Africa's growing litter problem and hear what listeners have to say in this thought-provoking edition of The Great Drive Debate.
22 Jul 13 min

A couple finally got married after 64 years together

A couple in Kenya has captured hearts after finally tying the knot following 64 years together. Stacey and J Sbu unpack this remarkable love story and the timeless reminder that there's no deadline for love, commitment, or saying "I do."
21 Jul 3 min

AARTO explained: What South Africa's new traffic fine system means for you

Confused about AARTO? You're not alone. Stacey and J Sbu speak to Road Traffic Infringement Agency spokesperson Monde Mkalipi, who breaks down exactly how the AARTO rollout works, what happens when you receive a traffic infringement notice, how long you have to respond, when the 50% discount applies, and what…
21 Jul 7 min

Who deserves your biggest thank you? Heartwarming stories of kindness

Sometimes the smallest acts of kindness leave the biggest impact. Stacey and J Sbu asked listeners to reflect on the people who've made a difference in their lives, from a security guard who offered hope during a difficult season to a cashier who quietly covered the last few rand at…
20 Jul 7 min

Do product recalls make you trust a brand more or less?

When a company recalls a product, does it make you trust the brand more for owning up to the mistake, or less because the product should never have made it to market? Stacey and J Sbu unpack this week's Great Drive Debate and hear what listeners had to say.
14 Jul 8 min