BRYSON CITY, North Carolina -- At Swain County High School in North Carolina, the post-game celebration Friday night included a surprise wedding.
Ian Roper, assistant football coach at Swain, was the one who was surprised. His fiance, Robin, showed up in a limo and wedding dress following the school's win against Rosman. When asked how much it blindsided him, Ian Roper said, "absolutely and completely."
"He had no clue up until they started playing our song and saw the limo," Robin Roper said. "That's when he knew something was up."
Robin said the moment took a lot of planning. The two had planned for a December wedding, but plans had to be expedited.
"When our venue fell through, I thought, 'why not get married at the football field?'" Robin Roper said.
Plans included bringing in Ian's family from other parts of the country and getting the okay from Swain County school officials.
"We were both choked up and holding back tears," Robin Roper said."I am the luckiest man on Earth, I firmly believe that," Ian Roper said.
Robin Roper said it might not have been the wedding they planned for, but it was the one of her dreams.
"I got to marry him, so yes, it was the perfect wedding for me," she said.
