Lakes Entrance 35-year-old waitress, Jess Nooy, dared to go on Channel 7’s dating television show, The Proposal, and found true love.

After a friend found a link to the show she convinced Jess to apply. Having never had any interest in dating shows, she did a fair bit of research before being convinced this program was geared towards mostly genuine, everyday contestants.

After successfully applying, she went through stringent tests to check that she was suitable.

“I had psychological, medical and police checks. I made it through the first selection round, then the second. Finally it was announced that I would be on the program. That’s when I thought, what have I got myself into,” she laughed.

During the episode, which aired on August 27, Jess filtered through eight potential suitors to receive two marriage proposals.

“It ended up being a fun and positive experience. There were no scripts and I chose the questions. Even my daughters, Ayla and Kailee, got to ask the last three questions,” she said.

Jess, her daughters and mum all flew to Sydney and the program was filmed at Fox Studios.

“I appeared on the very first episode, I wasn’t really expecting to find a soul mate,” Jess said.

Having had her children when she was 19 and 21 and then becoming a single mum, Jess devoted her time to bringing up her children. On The Proposal she found an instant connection to a MICA paramedic from Adelaide, Nathan Parks.

“Nathan had gone onto the show for the same reasons as me. I could see he was a genuine, down to earth guy and there was a spark there,” Jess said.

“He was shocked when I accepted his proposal, as I had refused the first contestants. He didn’t think he had a chance.”

After the filming, Jess and Nathan got to spend time together away from the cameras. When news broke that they were still together, the pair appeared on Sunrise and TRFM.

A film crew from Channel 7 secretly came down to Lakes Entrance and filmed Jess at work, on the footbridge and at Jemmys Point.

Five and a half months later, they are officially engaged and planning their future together as a family.

It has been a long distance relationship, as Nathan lives in Adelaide.

“We are planning to move to Adelaide by March next year, but for the time being we mainly catch up in Melbourne,” Jess said.

Asked if she found keeping the relationship secret for five months until it was screened on television difficult, Jess said it felt like she was living a double life.

“I am not someone who lies, but found I had to tell a few white ones, which my friends and colleagues have since forgiven me for,” she said.

“My work colleagues and Matt, at Albert & Co, were just fantastic and didn’t ask too many questions. The night it was on television they had a watch party on the big screen at the Bellevue.

“Everyone has been so supportive and happy for us.

“I was concerned that there may be a negative impact to my daughters at school, but people at Nagle College were supportive and there has only been positive feedback.”

Jess, Nathan, Ayla and Kailee are all looking forward to a wonderful future together.

“Once we are settled in Adelaide we are also hoping to expand our family,” Jess confessed.

PICTURED: Lakes Entrance 35-year-old waitress, Jess Nooy, has been with MICA paramedic, Nathan Parks, since the pair met on Channel 7’s dating television show, The Proposal, five months ago.