A YOUNG sailor, who lost nine stone to join the Royal Navy, made two dreams a reality by proposing to his girlfriend on the day of his ‘pass out’.
Engineering Technician Mike Edwards surprised girlfriend Lucy Ambridge, from Solihull, by proposing to her at the School of Naval Engineering HMS Sultan, in Hampshire, when he passed out as a Marine Engineer.
It has been an amazing journey for Mike who slimmed down from 21st 7 pounds (137 kg) to a fit and healthy 12 st 7 pounds (79 kg) in order to fulfil one dream – joining the Senior Service.
And when he got down on bended knee in front of family, friends and colleagues he was hoping to make his second dream a reality by having Lucy agree to marry him.
Lucy, a 23-year-old restaurant supervisor, said: “I had no idea what he was up to. I was simply speechless when he showed me the ring but I knew what he meant and was incredibly happy.”
The 23-year-old sailor from Paignton, Devon, added: “I threw her off the trail completely and when I went to ask her I could barely open my mouth.
“I got down on one knee and presented her with the ring, I was blubbering, a real mess and couldn’t get the words out. But her reaction said it all and now we are looking forward to the future together.”
Growing up in Devon Mike knew he wanted to join the Armed Forces from a young age but opted for a gap year before making any decisions – it was then that his weight ballooned.
At the age of 19 he was 21st when he submitted his Royal Navy application and so began his incredible weight loss regime in order to make that dream a reality.
By cutting out fast food and sticking to a strict fitness regime the pounds started falling and he was accepted for basic training.
“Although I had some time between the different stages of the application, I realised that if I was going to fulfil my dream I was going to have do something drastic.” he said.
“Throughout my training everyone has been really encouraging and helped me achieve my results both physically and academically and having Lucy now agree to marry me is the icing on the cake.”
Having now passed out as a Marine Engineer Mike will shortly sail off on deployment in his first warship.
Engineering Technician Mike Edwards surprised girlfriend Lucy Ambridge, from Solihull, when he proposed to her at his ‘pass out’ ceremony.
