'Will You Marry Me?': Harford Man Pops Question in Lights on 34th Street

BALTIMORE, MD — A Harford County couple recently got engaged in a very Baltimore way.

Two years ago, Bryan Shank and Julie Amos visited the lights on 34th Street in Hampden for their first date.

This year Shank began planning their visit to the lights well in advance — after he purchased a ring for her on Labor Day.

He got connected with Bob Hosier, who lives on 34th Street, through a blog about the festivities, and they planned a special light display near his porch.

"It was the perfect location for proposing to Julie, with Christmas being her favorite time of year, the entire block lit and having the big question in lights..." Shank said.

On the night he planned to pop the question — Dec. 9 — the couple had dinner at the Rusty Scupper, then headed up to 34th Street, where Hosier knew they would be arriving around 6:45 p.m.

"Bob waited in the bed of his truck with my sign lit, waiting for the moment I got down on one knee," Shank said. "As soon as I kneeled, Bob lifted the sign..."

"I held back my tears and asked Julie to marry me," he recalled.

"Julie is every woman I've ever imagined," said Shank, who met Amos at a Crack the Sky concert. "Julie's positivity can make your worst day seem so easy to conquer. Her outlook on life has completely changed the way I live."

Before the proposal, Shank said he contacted Fox 45 to pitch the story. While he was getting ready for dinner that night, the TV station called. Shank went into another room to discuss the plan.

So the news crew would know who to look for, he texted a picture of himself to Fox 45 photojournalist Drew Snadecki, who approached the couple upon their arrival in Hampden and asked him to wear a mic "for a story on what it was like to walk down 34th Street." He had the mic on for their entire 45-minute visit before the proposal.

"He's as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof," Hosier told Fox 45 before the big moment. "He'll do OK."

"It was perfect," Shank said. "Julie did not suspect anything."

Afterward, they went to the Hippodrome to see "A Christmas Story."

Meanwhile, family members gathered at their house in Belcamp for a celebration when they returned home. Some of her relatives came from out of state; Amos was raised in Pittsburgh and lived in Virginia before moving to Maryland four years ago for a job. Shank, who grew up in Joppatowne, said his sister was especially instrumental in ensuring all went smoothly.

"Every single detail fell into place, making it a perfect night," Shank said. "When Julie walked in and saw everyone waiting to celebrate, she finally let out all of her emotions she had been holding in the entire night. It was a heartwarming moment."

Added Shank: "A lot of people knew what was happening that night and not a single person slipped on my big secret. I just want to say, Julie, I love you and I cannot wait to begin the rest of my life with you."

The next big date for this couple is coming up quickly. Noting that she is from Pittsburgh, Shank said: "You know it's going to be fun Christmas Day when the Ravens and Steelers play..."

Photos courtesy of Bryan Shank.