A Giraffe Named Mazi Helps a Man Propose to His Girlfriend and It's Super Cute

How do you propose to a veterinarian? Zachary Gladnick solved the answer to this question by booking a “giraffe painting” tour. The giraffe helped the man propose with his freshly painted canvas, along with a “Will you marry me?” sign. The moment couldn’t have been more perfect.

The couple, Zachary and his now-fiancée, Lila Batiari, had spontaneously changed their travel plans to Northern California. Zachary took the opportunity to take Lila to the B. Bryan Preserve in Point Arena, California, where they visited Mazi the giraffe.

"He knows I love animals because I am a veterinarian, so [he] wanted to make it special," Lila said.

Giraffe Helps Man Propose

At the tour, they each held a canvas while the giraffe painted them.

"We got Mazi (the giraffe) to do some 'painting' for each of us!" Lila said. "Here I thought we were just taking a picture with his masterpieces. Zach planted multiple things for the days leading up to it, to throw me off 😂 He pulled off a good one 🍾🎊."

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Lila shared a video of the proposal, which shows them smiling and holding their canvases in front of Mazi. But Zach swapped his for one that says “Will you marry me?” with a red heart.

When the couple turned and faced each other, Lila gasped in surprise. Mazi curiously bent his head down as Zach got down on one knee and pulled out a ring.

"My heart was racing so much, I either almost cried or blacked out," Lila said. "I was so overwhelmed with emotion from such a life-changing moment."

A Total Surprise

"It was truly a surprise proposal!" she said. "The days leading up to it, I initially thought it was going to happen. However, I broke my pinky nail the day before and was trying to go get it fixed. He said I didn't need to get it fixed for multiple months. He was dropping hints about us going to Paris because that would be romantic and said my nail could grow back in by the 'trip.' "

"Also, while I was getting dressed, I was getting opinions on my outfit and he kept downplaying the day, [saying,] 'A giraffe does not care what you are wearing.' I even gave an option for a dress and he said to look up and choose a color that giraffes like,” she recalled. “Turns out that color is green because it appears like their food! After all his decoy hints, I truly thought it would be a few more months. The broken nail was what threw me off the most."

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Lila said she is “Forever going to replay this moment.” She told Zach, “Thanks for planning the best surprise with so much love.”

Zachary planned the best surprise he could think of for Lila, and she certainly was surprised. This is such a sweet gesture that this vet is sure to never forget!

WATCH: A Giraffe Named Mazi Helps a Man Propose to His Girlfriend and It's Super Cute

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A post shared by Lila Batiari (@lilabat)

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h/t: People

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/lilabat

Michaela Gordoni is an avid reader and part-time globe-trotter. With a bachelor's degree in International Relations and experience in the non-profit world, she has a passion for people and reporting. You can check out her portfolio here.