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Mystery couple in viral photo reveal twist behind proposal

Matthew Dippel, a Michigan photographer, was hiking through Yosemite National Park in California when he spotted the stunning proposal. Image: Twitter/Matthew Dippel
Matthew Dippel, a Michigan photographer, was hiking through Yosemite National Park in California when he spotted the stunning proposal. Image: Twitter/Matthew Dippel

The photographer behind a viral proposal photo has found the mystery couple after a little help from 200,000 social media users.

Matthew Dippel, a Michigan photographer, was hiking through Yosemite National Park in California when he directed his friend, Josh Van Gorden, to hike over to the famous viewpoint Taft Point to pose for a photo.

But instead of seeing Josh emerge on the cliff, Mr Dippel spotted two other tiny figures in the distance – one standing and one kneeling.

Mr Dippel quickly realised that he was witnessing a marriage proposal.

“I had my settings all ready to go, due to waiting for Josh, so I just snapped away and managed to get a beautiful photo,” Mr Dippel told Yahoo Lifestyle.

Charlie Bear (Vo) and his partner Melissa have been identified as the mystery couple in the wedding proposal snapshot. Image: Instagram/Charlie Bear
Charlie Bear (Vo) and his partner Melissa have been identified as the mystery couple in the wedding proposal snapshot. Image: Instagram/Charlie Bear

But he when he ran over to try to deliver the photo, he was unable to identify the lovebirds – so began an epic social media mission to track them down.

After more than 200,000 people shared the stunning image across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, Mr Dippel on Sunday revealed “I FOUND THEM”.

“Everyone meet, Charlie Bear and his fiancé Melissa, the happy, happy couple that was out on the point in my Taft Point Proposal,” he wrote.

But in yet another incredible twist, Mr Bear, better known as Vo, revealed to a local station that it’s not the first time he has proposed to his partner.

The first proposal was witnessed by family and friends but Vo decided he wanted to do “a more personal proposal” as well.

“I stumbled across our picture being posted and I was like ‘holy crap that’s us,’” he said, according to FOX17.

“I read the caption and then I tracked down Matt and I reached out to him. But we were totally unaware of this entire thing. It was so shocking.”