The Port Arthur News
GROVES, Texas — Chris Robinson found a unique way to ask his friend Katelynn Finley to prom — stage a fake fire at her house and rescue her pet pot bellied pig.
Robinson, a Nederland High School senior and a member of the Jefferson County Water District 10 Volunteer Fire Department, began planning the fake fire about three months ago and during that time he enlisted the help of Finley’s mom, Joanna Creel, family and friends as well as volunteers with Water District 10 VFD and Groves VFD.
The firefighters in full bunker gear were on scene hosing down the house while others went inside and aimed a smoke machine out Finley’s bedroom window.
Robinson took care of last minute tasks while wearing a tuxedo under his bunker gear.
“I’m hot and I’m nervous,” Robinson said with a laugh.
WD10 volunteer firefighter Efrain Avendano thanked GFD for allowing them to pull the surprise in their jurisdiction as well as sending a truck over.
“This is amazing,” Avendano said of the faux fire prom proposal.
Creel was the one who made the call to Finley to tell her to rush home, there’s an emergency. Rheagan Langley, Finley’s friend and fellow Indianette at Port Neches-Groves High School, was the driver who was also in on the scam.
Finley then strolled out Langley’s car toward her home where her family was outside along with two fire trucks and firefighters. One of the firefighters sought her out and with a serious tone led her to the bunker gear wearing masked Robinson.
Robinson exited the home carrying Chops, Finley’s pet pot bellied pig, in his arms and brought the pet pig to his friend.
As Finley took the pig in her arms Robinson took off the mask and his coat just as she noticed who he was.
“What are you doing?” Finley asked as she noticed her was wearing a tuxedo under his gear.
Robinson put his arm on her should and said “since I saved your pet I have a question for you.”
Finley turned to see a bay door on a fire truck opened to reveal a sign with the word ‘prom.’
She said yes.
“I’m still shaking,” Finley said after a hug with Robinson and receiving a dozen roses. “I never expected someone would do this for me.”
Family, friends and firefighters snapped photos and video as the event unfolded. Robinson finally had a chance to breathe a sigh of relief.
“I’m glad it’s over,” he said. “She said yes. My nerves are over. It’s the greatest feeling ever to ask my best friend ever to prom.”
As the photo session wrapped up Robinson had one last surprise — a gift of a necklace in a little velvet box.
“I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what to do right now,” she said as her face filled with emotion.
The two friends hugged once more as they became surrounded by well wishers.
With the fake fire over with Robinson and Finley now have time to plan for the May 2 prom.
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