He Spent Months Planning the Perfect Proposal at Rockefeller Center. He 'Delivered' the Romance, She Says (Exclusive)

Texas native Barrington Dave secretly taught his girlfriend Kennedy Kinnard to ice skate for weeks to pull off a surprise Rockefeller Center proposal that went viral on TikTok
Inspired by Kennedy's dream of visiting New York, Dave battled rain, nerves, and a made-up event to create a movie-worthy moment
The couple, who met at a 2021 wedding, are now planning a 2026 ceremony blending New York elegance with southern charm — a nod to their romantic, storybook journeyTexas native Barrington Dave went to great lengths to orchestrate a surprise proposal for his girlfriend Kennedy Kinnard at the iconic Rockefeller Center ice rink in New York City.
The carefully planned moment, which went viral on TikTok, shows Dave teaching Kinnard how to ice skate in the weeks leading up to the big moment.
Dave's inspiration for the proposal came when Kinnard expressed a desire to visit New York City. 'I was looking for inspiration on TikTok,' Dave exclusively tells PEOPLE. 'I saw the Rockefeller tree and I thought 'Oh that would be perfect.' ' He knew he wanted to propose by the end of 2024, and when Kinnard mentioned wanting to visit New York, he saw an opportunity to create a memorable proposal.
Knowing that ice skating would be a crucial element of his plan, Dave took Kinnard skating near her law school to ensure she could maintain her balance on the ice. After a few sessions, Dave booked the trip and began to plan the big moment.
On the day of the proposal, Dave faced several challenges, including rainy weather and Kinnard's concerns about an imaginary event that he had fabricated as a cover. 'The biggest thing was the weather being rainy and cold,' Dave explains. 'Kennedy just got her hair done, and I was like, she's not gonna get her hair wet.' Despite the obstacles, he managed to get Kinnard onto the ice.
As the rink cleared, Beyoncé's song "Dangerously in Love" began to play. 'At first I thought it was a joke,' Kinnard tells PEOPLE. 'I don't even know why I said, 'Are you joking? Like, what's going on?' I just remember he started talking, and I was making sure I didn't fall and that's when the screaming started.'
The proposal video, which Dave initially shared for friends and family, unexpectedly went viral on TikTok. The couple was overwhelmed by the positive response from viewers around the world. 'There have been so many kind words of people saying how it puts a smile on their face,' Kinnard says.
For Kinnard, the proposal was a dream come true. 'He listens to me really, because I would be like, 'Women love romance and in this day and age there's not that much romance,' ' she continues. 'And so to have someone who listened and heard like, 'I want a romantic proposal. I want romance.' He delivered. Romance exists.'
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Dave and Kinnard's love story first began at a wedding in 2021. Dave, who was smitten from the moment he saw Kinnard, introduced himself to her and her mother at the event. Their relationship quickly blossomed with Dave officially asking Kinnard to be his girlfriend on January 7, 2022.
As they look toward their future, the couple is planning a wedding for late 2026. Kinnard has always been fascinated by New York City and iconic figures like Jacqueline Kennedy. She hopes to incorporate her refined taste and elegance into the Texas setting. 'I want the wedding to give the vibe of The Kennedys — very old New York with a little southern charm.'
Read the original article on People

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