A newly-engaged Oregon couple was stunned to learn they had become the subject of a viral manhunt after an amateur photographer snapped a photo of their proposal.
Alex Gensitskiy and his fiancee Katie Verkovod were hiking at Mt. Hood National Forest on Thanksgiving day when he dropped to one knee and proposed, according to ABC News affiliate KATU-TV.
When Paul Wolfe, who was hiking nearby, saw Gensitskiy on one knee offering up a ring, he snapped a photo on his phone while keeping a distance.
Couple Gets Engaged in the Newsroom NYPD Saves Failed Brooklyn Bridge Marriage Proposal Christmas Card Becomes Marraige ProposalThe picture of the couple atop an Oregon hill in front of a foggy backdrop quickly went viral after Wolfe posted it to his Instagram and on Reddit in the hopes he could give the photo to the couple.
Eventually, a friend called Gensitskiy after stumbling across the photo online.
“He was like, 'Dude, this is crazy, there was a picture and it wen viral and people are looking for you,'” Gensitskiy told KATU-TV. “I was like, 'Whoa.'”
Verkovod said the picture brought back some of the emotions she felt that day.
“It was just beautiful,” she told KATU-TV. “It brought back so many good memories.”
Gensitskiy said he remembered seeing people on the trail, but was nervous about getting through the proposal.
“I hope they don’t come up to us,” Gensitskiy recalled thinking to KATU-TV. “I’m a about to propose. I don’t want people around.”
The couple is now busy planning their wedding.