IT was like something out of a movie when dancers took over the fashion mall at Lakeside Joondalup Shopping City one recent Saturday afternoon.
Ashby resident Patrick Thomas (30) had organised his friends to invite him and his girlfriend Libby Pretorius (25), of Ridgewood, for coffee.
Meanwhile, Patricks’ friend Jason Lau was setting up a flashmob so Mr Thomas could surprise Libby with a marriage proposal.
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READ NOW“I was so nervous after our morning spending time together when she asked to go early to Lakeside so we could go shopping at Myer of all places; right where everyone was setting up,” Patrick said.
“I managed to delay with enough time to let everyone know not to set up until we were seated at Jamaica Blue having coffee.
“I had arranged that we all parked on the other end of Lakeside so we could walk back together past Myer’s entrance and then this ‘strange’ guy started dancing.”
Mr Lau had arranged some of his dancers from X-Training in Osborne Park to create the flashmob, with Mr Thomas joining in at the end before proposing.
He said surprise was “a big factor” in deciding to propose with a flashmob.
“The other reason is it’s something I do with my friends; whenever we go out, I will call a five-second dance break and we’ll stop what we’re doing and dance wherever we are,” he said.
“I love to dance. I’m not the best dancer but I’m vibrant and I thought it would be something different and special.”
Mr Thomas said his girlfriend of 14 months still did not know what he was up to even after he joined in the dance.
“It wasn’t until I pulled out the ring that she realised,” he said.
“She told me she nearly passed out.”
Lakeside Joondalup centre management congratulated the couple after the event and they are now busy planning their wedding.
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