Love blossomed in one of Australia's most remote locations, and an entire school community came together to celebrate a truly magical moment.

When early childhood teacher Tehlia Castagna was summoned to the principal's office at Wyndham District High School in Western Australia's far north, she never imagined she was about to experience one of life's most memorable moments. What awaited the 24-year-old teacher was a beautiful surprise that would involve her beloved students and colleagues in a celebration of love.

Led from the office to the school library, Tehlia was greeted by a heartwarming sight: a line of beaming children holding colorful hand-drawn letters that spelled out those four special words, "Will you marry me?" At the end of the line stood her partner and fellow teacher, Reuben Darch, ready to ask the most important question of their lives.

"I saw all my children standing there, holding letters, and then the whole school was silent," Tehlia recalled, still touched by the memory. "I had no idea what was going on at first. I was a bit in shock."

When she said yes, cheers of pure joy erupted throughout the school grounds, as the close-knit community celebrated with the couple they had come to love.

The couple's love story began in 2023 in Kalumburu, one of Western Australia's most remote schools in the Kimberley region, where they met over a casual game of frisbee. Their shared passion for teaching in remote communities brought them together, and they've been creating memories ever since.

Planning the proposal in Wyndham, a town of just 1,000 people where everyone knows everyone, required some creative thinking. "I had to sneakily organise everything," Reuben shared with a smile. "Even with the ring, I couldn't let Tehlia go to the post office."

In the days leading up to the big moment, Reuben enlisted his students' help, asking them to color in various letters. The children enthusiastically participated, not realizing until the last minute that they were part of something truly special. "They didn't know what it spelled at the time, no-one clicked," he explained. "I told them at the very last minute so they wouldn't spoil the surprise."

For Reuben, involving the school community was particularly meaningful. Students had frequently asked when he and "Miss Tehlia" were getting married, showing the genuine affection the school community held for the couple.

The newly engaged pair are now planning their wedding, which will take place in Perth where their families live. However, they're committed to celebrating with their Kimberley community as well. "We love the Kimberley, but all our family is in Perth, and it just makes it a bit easier to have it there," Tehlia explained warmly. "We'll definitely have a party here and do a few photo shoots to make sure that we have them as a memory."

This beautiful proposal reminds us of the strong bonds that form in remote communities and the special role teachers play in the lives of their students—and how those students can create unforgettable moments right back.