Football star proposes in maternity ward
- Published
Georgios Sarris with Maria and baby Nancy
A football star made a marriage proposal with a specially-made babygrow for his newborn baby at Wishaw General Hospital's maternity unit.
Hamilton Accies Greek centre-back, Georgios Sarris, asked maternity staff to dress baby Nancy in an outfit that said: "mummy will you marry my daddy?".
Mr Sarris had to delay asking Maria to marry him after Nancy was taken to the neonatal unit for checks.
She was reunited with her parents wearing her special first outfit.
Emotional time
Mr Sarris said: "We had a nervous wait while Nancy was in the neonatal unit and I was already anxious because of the birth and my planned proposal.
"I thought that the moment had gone.
"Once Nancy was given the all clear, I spoke with the staff and they were only too happy to help me out.
"I was so happy that the nurses and midwives were prepared to go the extra length to make sure my proposal could work out as planned."
The proposal happened at Wishaw General Hospital
Neonatal staff dressed baby Nancy, who weighed 6 pounds 15 ounces, placed her in an incubator and wheeled her round to the maternity unit.
The SPFL footballer then got down on one knee and popped the question to Maria in front of maternity staff.
Ann Brockett, maternity care assistant, said: "It was so romantic. In all my years in the maternity unit I have never seen anything like it.
"It was a very emotional time for both Georgios and Maria and a few of us shed a tear too. They are a lovely family."
Noticed writing
The couple have been together for six years and moved to Scotland in 2016 following Georgios' move to the Lanarkshire club.
Maria said: "I was really emotional. To know my daughter was ok and in my arms was a wonderful feeling, I was on top of the world.
"Then I noticed the writing on the babygrow. I looked over and Georgios was on one knee with a ring in his hand. I started to cry all over again but I managed to say yes.
"I will never forget that day as long as I live and I will never forget the staff who helped bring Nancy into the world and make the proposal possible."
Senior charge midwife, Susan Clements, said: "We were very happy to help Georgios make his extraordinary proposal to Maria.
"In my 34 years as a midwife, I haven't seen any dad propose to the mother on the ward.
"It was lovely that our midwives and neonatal staff got a chance to be involved in such a special moment for the new family."