Soldier Found Grace and Plans Future

Army sergeant, home from Afghanistan, arranges surprise proposal
Sgt. Edwin Michel nervously waited to reveal a big secret
WSYR-TV
Published 12/16 2015

After his third tour in Afghanistan, Sgt. Michel was ready to come home. Just one week before the White Coat Ceremony, he had surprised Fallon in their brand new house.

Grace Fallon was already feeling blessed when she looked back at her boyfriend with a wink.

Somehow, Sgt. Edwin Michel had been allowed to return home from Afghanistan a couple of months early.

That meant he could watch Fallon in Le Moyne College's special White Coat Ceremony. Students in the Nurse Practitioner Program are invited onstage to put on a white coat, a symbolic transition from the classroom to clinical studies.

Fallon was all smiles...her face bright with anticipation. She mouthed the words "I love you" as their eyes met in the crowd.

One row back, on the other side of the aisle, Sgt. Edwin was far more nervous. He was about to be called up to the stage too.....for a secret proposal.

"All I could keep telling myself is - breath. Just keep breathing, keep breathing, try keep my heart rate down and controlled and relaxed," he remembers.

She picked it out herself...the way many military partners must get things done.

For 2.5 years, their dates were arranged online, by Skype or Facebook, the only way they could spend time together while he served.

"She's perfect. That's the only way I can put it," Sgt. Michel gushed.
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