As a preview to the romance of Valentine’s Day, English teacher Darcie Walkes’ seventh period English I class was given the chance to watch her boyfriend of over two years propose to her during class on Thursday.

Walkes’ boyfriend, Brook Horstmeyer, contacted English department chair Fred Reiner for some help that morning.

“Mr. Reiner and the other English teachers knew about it since 7:30 that morning, but I had no idea,” Walkes said.

The teachers walked in front of Horstmeyer as he made his way to Walkes’ classroom, to block him from her view.

“I just saw Mrs. (teacher Joey) Russell and Mrs. (teacher Tami) Brown and other teachers in front of him,” Walkes said. “They came into the classroom and said, ‘We have a situation. Is it okay if we talk to your students?’ I was worried because I thought one of my students had done something wrong.”

Then Horstmeyer appeared from behind the crowd, explaining that he had been at school talking to a class.

“He’s a construction management major, so he said he was there talking to a class about construction, and he just stopped by to ask a quick question,” Walkes said. “He seemed really nervous, and I didn’t really know what was going on. Then he pulled a ring out of his sleeve and asked me to marry him, and I said yes!”

Walkes said Horstmeyer wanted to propose during school because her job means so much to her.

“He wanted to do it in front of my students because he knows how much I love my job,” Walkes said. “And I really didn’t expect such a surprise.”

Walkes said she didn’t remember much after that happened because she was so excited.

“I remember I was so shaky I couldn’t even get my key in the door of the TPC,” Walkes said. “There were teachers taking pictures and the students started clapping.”

Freshman Justin OMeyer, a student in the class, thought it was a very nice gesture.

“He was shaking like he was nervous, and all these teachers came in so we thought we were in trouble,” OMeyer said. “We all thought it was pretty cool to propose to her at work.”

Freshman Joey Panaia, another of Walkes’ students, was as surprised as the rest of the class when Horstmeyer appeared.

“I think he was really brave for doing it in front of everyone,” Panaia said.

Walkes said she thought the proposal was the best surprise she could have imagined.

“I never thought he would put so much thought into it when he asked me,” Walkes said. “To see Brook appear in the school setting in the middle of the day, it was so unexpected. It was a great idea and I’m very happy.”