Hypnotist's 'volunteer' proposes to girlfriend during show

TORONTO, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- A Canadian man's proposal to his girlfriend of six years was a real showstopper during a hypnotist's performance at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto.

Darren Chow, 33, of Burlington, Ontario, enlisted the help of comedian-hypnotist Boris Cherniak, whose annual performance at the Canadian National Exhibition was a yearly event for Chow and his girlfriend, Christine Kou, the Toronto Star reported Saturday.

"She's waited this long, I didn't want to do something that was mediocre," Chow said. "I wanted to do something that would really make her feel special."

Cherniak told the Star he didn't hesitate.

"I'm all about making special moments and something like this will be remembered forever," Cherniak said. "Not just for them, but everybody here. I wanted to be a part of it."

Near the end of Saturday afternoon's show, Cherniak called on Chow to be a "volunteer" to help prove the power of hypnosis. While in a trance, Cherniak quizzed Chow about why he hadn't proposed to Kou, then held up signs to "help" him answer.

The signs read: "Christine, will you marry me?"

Chow smiled, knelt on one knee and held out a ring.

Kou said, "Yes."