'She Said Yes!' Surprise Marriage Proposal Held in Kindergarten Class Where Couple First Met

STURTEVANT, WI — Chris Peronto was shaking.

Peronto, all 44 years of him, bent down on one knee, held out a black box with the diamond ring he designed himself, and asked his grade-school sweetheart Nanette Behrens if she would marry him.

Sometimes, if one is very lucky, they can wend their way through life's ups and downs to get a second chance at happiness - but only if they recognize the moment before them.

For both Peronto and Behrens, the source of that happiness meant going back - way back - to where it all began - the Schulte Elementary School kindergarten class where they first met back in 1978.

Back then, they lived across the street from each other in Mount Pleasant. They'd play in the alley, climb trees, get into adventures and misadventures. Their parents wouldn't let them cross the street back then, so they would race their big wheels up and down the sidewalks on opposite sides just so they could see each other.

Then, one day, the young Behrens dragged Peronto by the collar into the school bathroom - and gave him his first kiss.

As it happens, life has a funny way of carrying people along different paths. Over the years, they lost contact. Peronto, who works for a local roofing company, and Behrens, a real estate broker, would end up each marrying on their own, raising children and later going through divorce.

After growing up together as children, then venturing out on their own, life came full circle. One day Peronto discovered Behrens online. They started talking. It wasn't too much later before their re-discovery led to love.

Which brings us to Friday, May 5.

Earlier on that sunlit morning, Peronto picked up Behrens in his car to drive her to school.

It was a surprise, so Peronto blindfolded his sweetheart - with her permission, mind you - and drove her to the school. He drove over gravel roads and took her on a circuitous path as they made their way.

They pulled up to the school, and walked down the hallway. The blindfold off, Behrens opened her eyes to a room of waiting wide-eyed kindergarteners struggling to keep their great big secret in.

As the TV cameras rolled, the children broke into a love song sung in unison. The last line ended with, "would you marry me?"

As Peronto bent to one knee, he held out that black box, with the diamond ring he designed himself. Behrens put her hand over her mouth in surprise, held back tears, kissed Peronto, and said "Yes."

And as the two sealed their new bond with a kiss, their young audience reacted in the way many do at age five, many laughing, and exclaiming "Eew, gross!"

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patch photos by scott anderson