Stephanie McGuire couldn't understand why the police were stopping her.
She and a friend were pulled over by a Provo police officer last November on their way to church, and the officer informed McGuire that a warrant was out for her arrest. He told her a ticket she received years ago was never paid - a mistake that could result in jail time. Throughout the frightening ordeal, her boyfriend, Troy, was kneeling behind her, ready for her to turn around so he could propose. He had planned the entire incident.
Covenant Communications, an LDS publishing company, wants to tap into the pool of notorious engagement stories at BYU for its Perfect Proposal contest.
The contest will award one winning couple a diamond anniversary band and a one-night stay at an Anniversary Inn. Michele Ashman Bell, a well-known LDS author, will also feature their attention-grabbing engagement story in one of her upcoming novels.
Troy McGuire, who arranged the pull-over proposal, said he wanted to pop the question in a way his fiancée wasn't expecting.
"We already knew we were getting married, so I needed something to surprise her," said McGuire, a sophomore from Spanish Fork, majoring in exercise science.
Interesting engagement stories like these are common at BYU, and students now have the chance to win something for their creativity.
"Every proposal is as unique as the couple being married," said Melissa Dalton, a media representative from Covenant Communications. "The proposal story is the first thing everybody wants to hear."
Randy Seeley, a junior from Fairfax, Va., majoring in American studies, took his girlfriend to Nunns Park in Provo Canyon last winter to propose. When they arrived, six candles lit a small path leading to a campfire. Love notes were placed with each candle, and red roses lined the path.
As he knelt into the muddy snow by the fire to propose, the wind shifted and blew all the smoke into his face.
"I almost died," Seeley said.
Despite the humorous setback, his girlfriend said "yes."
Seeley said there is a high expectation at BYU to propose in a noteworthy way.
"That's all people talk about," he said. "I think no one really cares outside of Provo."
Author Michele Ashman Bell said she wants to include a story in her novel that's either breathtaking or humorous.
"We are looking for the proposal we couldn't have written ourselves, the one that captures the once-in-a-lifetime moment in a way we'd see in a movie," she said.
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Perfect Proposal
Entries should be 300 words or less and must be received or postmarked by Sept. 1. Send your story and contact information (first and last name, home and e-mail addresses and telephone number) via e-mail to events@covenant-lds.com or by mail to Covenant Communications-Perfect Proposal P.O. Box 416 American Fork, Utah 84065.
