A US man proposed to his girlfriend by persuading his local newspaper to compile and publish a special crossword puzzle. (from ananova.com)

Every clue in the puzzle, in the Boston Globe, related to the couple or marriage and the key clue was 111 across: "Generic Proposal". Answer: "Will you marry me?"

Aric Egmont, 29, of Cambridge, near Boston, had been planning for months to propose to his girlfriend, Jennie Bass, also 29.

The couple regularly spent their Sunday mornings tackling the crossword so he contacted the magazine to ask if the compilers would be willing to write a special one for him.

Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon, a married puzzle-writing team who have been writing Globe magazine crossword puzzles for years, accepted the challenge and came up with a puzzle entitled 'Popping the question'.

Mr Egmost said: "Sunday morning, I was like, 'Do you want to do the crossword?' I grab the paper and we start doing it.

"There are clues that have personal significance, my last name, her best friend's name. She's not suspicious at all. Her sister's name is in there. She's like, 'This is so bizarre'. She just thinks it's an amazing coincidence.

"We get to the 'Will you marry me?' clue, and I said, 'Will you marry me, Jenny?' I got up, got the ring, and got down on one knee and she screamed, and hugged me. It took her a minute to say yes."

Miss Bass added: "I was just like, wow, all these amazing coincidences, special places and people in my life.

"It was just really exciting to do it. There was no reason for me to suspect it. Then he got up and came back with a box and it was pure elation."
[Edited 9/26/07 5:36am]

so sweet

heybaby said:

Hey baby.

Cloudbuster said:

hello cloudy

jami0mckay said:

thefrog said:

hater

heybaby said:

thefrog said:

thefrog said:

Aric Egmont

I'm sure thats a fake name

heybaby said:

Hey baby.

Cloudbuster said:

hello cloudy

jami0mckay said:

It is. His real name is cloudbuster and he's a

heybaby said:

The orders are to kill The Frog. Choice of termination is yours, I'm sure you'll think of something worthy of legend.

Cloudbuster said:

JDInteractive said:

I'll make love to you tomorrow.

Cloudbuster said:

My diary is full for this week.

JDInteractive said:

Same excuse as ever. No worries, I'll wait 'til you die before making my move.

Cloudbuster said:

I'm scheduled in for a beheading next Thursday.

JDInteractive said:

Have you been being gay in Iran again?

Cloudbuster said:

Yes. I'm as camp as an Iranian Christmas.

JDInteractive said:

Cosy.

That's so beautiful.

Cloudbuster said:

A friend of mine has met Evo Morales. He sprayed her with foam.

JDInteractive said:

Oh. Odd. He does have some nice sweaters, tho'.

Cloudbuster said:

...and friends.

JDInteractive said:

With foam.

Cloudbuster said:

Chris Tarrant wants you to foam a friend.

JDInteractive said:

lol. There's a few friends of mine I'd love to foam.