He did not have dwelling court docket benefit, however he nonetheless gained.
Diehard Knicks fan Joseph DeSimone popped the query to girlfriend Erika Vann on the Kiss Cam in Oklahoma Metropolis because the staff took on the Thunder in an NBA heavyweight conflict final Friday.
The Decrease East Aspect native made the daring transfer whereas in enemy territory — dropping to 1 knee on the Paycom Heart — and donning a Knicks jersey.
“I took an opportunity as a result of they might have booed me on the Jumbotron once they noticed my shirt,” DeSimone, 37, instructed The Put up.
“However the followers had been cheering just like the Thunder hit a three-pointer or simply made the game-winning shot.” There was a whole lot of love, even after the proposal. Folks would stroll previous us and say, “Congratulations.”
The couple, who each work for the US Postal Service in Oklahoma Metropolis, met in 2023 after DeSimone moved there.
Vann, 33, “had no intention of courting” DeSimone when a colleague instructed the Oklahoma native set him up.
However on their second outing, he made his transfer.
“There was a sales space and I sat on the identical aspect as her,” he recollects. “And he or she was a bit shocked and stated, ‘Oh, I assume it is a date.’
DeSimone purchased tickets to the sport months earlier than he deliberate to suggest.
“I needed to see the Knicks play in Oklahoma Metropolis,” he stated.
“After which I simply awakened sooner or later and was like, ‘You understand this lady is admittedly for me. Let me see what I can supply within the recreation.”
Though DeSimone had requested for her ring dimension two months in the past, Van was nonetheless shocked — particularly since they weren’t on the most effective of phrases tonight.
“We might really be very late and we had been type of mad at one another,” she recollects.
“So I used to be driving quick,” DeSimone added. “She was type of upset with me and questioned why I used to be so adamant about going there.”
The groom-to-be was nervous to take the lightning-cut sparkler in his pocket into the world – muttering ‘Please do not depart’ to himself as he went by the metallic detectors.
So when the safety stopped him, he was much more careworn.
“I assumed it was for the ring, however he needed me to take off my belt.”
The proposal occurred on the finish of the primary quarter, and after they received happening the Kiss Cam, Van stated, “all of it occurred so quick.”
“Then I used to be taking a look at him and a hoop on the Jumbotron and I used to be like, ‘Oh my God.’ And I saved telling him, ‘I’ll throw up,'” she stated.
“I believe I simply stated, ‘Will you marry me or what?'” Desimone recalled.
After which she nodded her head. Within the video, I faucet her hand as a result of I am like, “Give me your finger.” As a result of I could not keep there that lengthy.”
