She said: 'O-H' Yes!
/Man asks girl to be his wife: ON THE FIELD OF the Ohio State University Stadium
On November 25, 2014, Bryan Lukes proposed marriage to Christie Roshau on the field at The Ohio State University football stadium "Shoe". This story is unique, because this newly engaged couple isn’t even from Ohio: but Phoenix, AZ.
The Ohio State University Stadium, 11/29/14
Wait…what?
Yes. Anyone may naturally wonder how two Arizonians would make their way out to Columbus, and how the young man could plan a proposal on one of the most coveted fields in the nation.
Ohio Roots
Christie has a lot of family in Mansfield, OH. Throughout the years, she would make trips out to Mansfield, Ohio to enjoy time with her grandparents and other family members. Her love for the Buckeyes grew the more times she spent with her grandfather, who would always have the “Big Game” on. Even after graduating from Arizona State University and being a fully devoted Sun Devil, part of her heart always loved and felt a devotion to the Buckeyes throughout the years.
Mansfield, OH - Grandma's
On The Ohio State University football field, AKA "The Shoe" – 2009
Her dream? To be able to go to the “Big Game” at The Ohio State University.
Lies, Lies, Lies...
Fast forward to the start of November of 2014. Christie decided to go visit her Ohio family for Thanksgiving. In the meantime, her firefighter boyfriend was planning a proposal of a lifetime. Bryan told Christie that he would be leaving for firefighting training for a week in Maryland up until Thanksgiving Eve, and that he would be making a stop in Mansfield before heading back to Phoenix. Well, that was the beginning of the trickery. The fact is that there was no “firefighting training,” and Bryan was going to be in Ohio getting details for the proposal before she would ever be in Ohio!
4H Banquet Extravaganza!
As soon as she flew into Columbus, her family members John, Cindy, Sarah and Grace Cornell were in on the surprised, and tricked Christie by telling her that there was a 4H banquet down at the University they were attending. They were allowed to invite an additional guest, and asked if she would like to join the black-tie affair. She agreed, and when they made it down to the stadium, Christie was shocked! How cool is it that this banquet has a private event at the University!
As John and Christie pulled up the stadium, her Aunt Cindy and cousins Sarah and Grace showed up in jeans! What happened to the black-tie-affair? So she switched quickly out of her heels and slipped into her boots, as she now was thinking the “black-tie-affair” for 4H events meant a pair of boots and jeans (which would play an important role, as the event was outside in the cold).
Aunt Cindy and my cousins Sarah & Grace
"Clueless Christie"
As they made their way in, this is where the ‘clueless’ word comes into play. On the way up the street, there’s a photographer taking photos. Obviously, because Christie’s job sometimes entails working at banquet events, that was second nature for her to see.
There was a red carpet and an usher at the very bottom to guide guests through. She kept taking photos for a good five minutes, and all of a sudden, Bryan taps her on the shoulder! That “usher” Christie saw in a nice tuxedo at the end of the red carpet was Bryan patiently waiting for her! She was absolutely clueless to this fact.
A Stadium Filled With Love
The stadium was completely empty: Just her parents, family members, and of course the photographers were around. “What is going on here?” Christie asked with excitement. He then takes her hand and leads her to the end zone and dances with her.
The Big Question
As time goes on, Bryan then pulls out his Bible and shares what he has been looking for in a wife through A passage in Proverbs 31 (excerpt below):
"Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life...Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come...
...She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness...Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her...
...Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
The Letter
After this, Bryan pulls out a letter. He has always written handwritten notes and letters throughout their relationship, and oh how she appreciated that. He talked about a lot of wonderful things...including having a discussion with my dad prior to the engagement, and asking for his permission to marry me. I don't think Bryan will ever realize how that meant to me!
Next thing Christie realizes, Bryan is down on one knee and asked her if she’d do him the honor of being his wife.
She said yes!
(or should we say: ‘O-H' Yes!)
Breaking Rules
From there, they ran into the center of the football field, right smack dab in the middle of the “O”...
What a surreal experience they had as they returned back to the end zone to celebrate with her family...
The Cake-Topper Moment...
OH yes…should I mention that he also surprised her with tickets to her VERY FIRST Ohio State football game? And do I dare mention that it was against the rival Michigan team? She screamed louder with that then when she got the ring! That is all a fact, my friend.
Yep. They are going to live happily ever after. :-)
The Moral Of This Story:
Bryan is absolutely amazing. He spent days in a state he’s never been to before, travelling all over (literally…from Cincinnati to Columbus to Dayton and finally Mansfield) to get all the necessary things to make the night unforgettable. He completely surprised me by laying out a red carpet with an archway right to him (though I was completely oblivious). Also, we had the stadium all to ourselves, with my family enjoying the moment in the background. Don’t forget the dozens of roses, personalized letter, Bryan in a TUXEDO, and a stadium all to ourselves!
OH…I mentioned that already.. :-)
The "Proposal Shirt" I made!
Skull session w/band. No idea why it's called that, but it's cool!
It was all so perfect, and I am so excited to continue this new journey of life with my fiancé, Bryan Fredrick Lukes.
I sure got a keeper :-)
