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Burlington, VT—There are all kinds of creative ways to pop the question. For example, slipping the engagement ring into a glass of champagne or dessert (choking hazard; not recommended), hiding it inside another decoy gift, having a singing waiter present the ring, or popping the question via Jumbotron during a major-league sporting event (be certain she’s going to say “yes” before trying this one.)

But for one Vermont couple, love really took flight. Josh Stewart's proposal to Leah Tansey came via very special delivery: by hawk.

"Leah and I are bird lovers and frequently go on walks and hikes to see what birds we can find," said Stewart. "In fact, Leah gave me the brilliant idea of having one of her beloved birds of prey swoop into action. A few years back, she mentioned that her ornithology professor had an owl as a ring bearer at his wedding. She suggested we do that for ‘our wedding’ if the day were ever to come." 

Stewart, not as much of a bird lover at the time, "promptly rolled my eyes and thought ‘never, ever.'" But as the years passed and his appreciation for birds grew, he thought this was the perfect opportunity to bring her dream to reality. But instead of an owl, the ring bearer was a Harris hawk. 

"She was completely caught off guard and incredibly happy.  It could not have gone any better," he said.

Josh Stewart and Leah Tansey as a newly-engaged couple.

The ring, which came from Von Bargen's Jewelry, was tied to the hawk's talon. At just the right moment the well-trained bird appeared with the ring and landed on Tansey's gloved hand as Stewart popped the question. Tansey said "yes."

Ali Dumont of Von Bargen's told The Centurion the ring was a three-stone ring; a Precision Set setting with Von Bargens’ own center diamond, an AGS Ideal-cut round brilliant.

Faster than Fedex: The ring-bearing hawk lands on Leah Tansey's glove. Below, a closeup of the ring, attached to the bird's right leg with a leather strap and a plastic tie.

Top image: oratoryprepomega.org