""Miss Borst, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you,'' an emotional Grenier said, slipping a diamond ring on her finger. ""Will you marry me?'' He looked at the enthusiastic group of half-pints, who were sitting on the floor at her feet.

""One, two three,'' he coached.

""Pl-e-e-e-a-s-e,'' the children chimed in.

""Yes,'' a smiling, teary-eyed Borst replied, sparking applause from her students and other teachers who also were wiping tears from their eyes.

While her students got to witness true love, Borst, 24, of West Lawn, Berks County, got the surprise of her life in the romantic ruse orchestrated by Grenier and school principal Bev Breniser.

Breniser told Borst a safety officer from Lancaster General Hospital was going to address her class and local media was reporting his presentation.

After a TV cameraman and a newspaper photographer and reporter filed in her room, Grenier appeared with a dozen red roses. A speechless Borst, with a stunned look on her face, burst into tears as Grenier led her to a seat in front of her class.

In the ensuing moments, Grenier gave the class a lesson in love before popping the big question. He gave each of the children who answered his questions a rose to give to their teacher.

He asked the students to name someone they love.

""I love Miss Borst,'' one little Romeo responded.

""I love my sister,'' another boy said.

Grenier, 27, an information technology engineer for the Berks County Intermediate Unit, explained to the students his intentions, prompting more tears from his intended one.

""I came here today because I love her so much that I am going to ask her to marry me,'' Grenier told the little ones.

Principal Breniser said the classroom proposal was a first for her school. She said Grenier, who lives in Laureldale, Berks County, e-mailed her a month ago and pitched his plan.

""Oh, it was fun to play this trick,'' said Breniser, who had a huge smile on her face after the proposal.

The couple met two years ago through another teacher and planned to celebrate their second-year anniversary Thursday night.

""I expected flowers, but not this,'' said Borst, who also teaches kindergarten at Fritz Elementary School. ""This just blows me away.'' When asked if there was ever a possibility of her refusing Grenier's offer, Borst responded: ""Oh, no, I love him too much,'' she said. ""He's what I always wanted. This is perfect.'' The next step, Grenier said, is for the couple to set a date for the big day.

""I wanted to propose to her in the place she loves the most and it is here,'' Grenier said, standing in the hallway and pointing to Borst's classroom. blog comments powered by Disqus