COSTA MESA, Calif. - Santa has conspired with a love-struck California man by lending a knee for a surprise marriage proposal.

Jenny Hoang took a friend's boys to see Santa at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa on Sunday, and she was helping the kids off Santa's lap when Old St. Nick waved her back. Santa told the 27-year-old she's been very good and there's a special gift for her.

Her boyfriend of nine years, Jonathan Nguyen, suddenly emerged, got down on a knee and proposed.

She said yes, then slid off Santa's lap and kneeled down so Jonathan could slip a ring on her finger.

The groom-to-be, who is also 27, told the Orange County Register he secretly enlisted the help of the shopping mall and Santa to pull off the surprise.