By Bev Beaman, Copy Editor
Published Thursday, Sept. 1, 1988 in Vol. XXII, No. 2
When Butler student Darren Little proposed marriage to Carol Turner at El Dorado’s Red Coach Restaurant last Friday, he had more than a little help from his friends.
Little and Turner, both 20, are employed in the dining room of the restaurant and have worked together for about 10 months.
The prospective bridegroom enlisted friends and co-workers, as well as diners, to present to Turner an offer she couldn’t refuse.
While an unsuspecting Turner was sent off to the break room, other employees hurriedly distributed white and red heart-shaped balloons to each booth and table. Somone found a portable radio, and a photographer materialized. The room grew quiet, except for Cory Hart’s, “I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You,” a favorite of Turner’s.
Little gave the signal that all was ready, and Turner was produced. Little took her hand and carefully seated her in a chair in the center of the room. He handed her a single red rose and dropped to his knees before her. He spoke to Turner and to the assembled company, citing his friendship and love for her, subsequently offering his proposal of marriage.
When it was obvious that Turner had given her tearful acceptance, the crowd let out its collectively-held breath with shouts of joy and wild applause. Turner donned the proffered engagement ring, gazing at her hand as if it were no longer part of her body. She then matter-of-factly stood up, giving her intended a lingering buss, and returned to work. As quickly as it had begun, the romance in the air dissipated with the clank of coffee cups.
Little, a graduate of Circle High School in Towanda, said he wanted something different than the usual proposal when he hit upon the idea of going public.
“I thought, with this many people, she couldn’t refuse. I wanted something totally different that she didn’t expect.”
Little notified his parents, Ty and Judy Little of Towanda, as well as Turner’s family. Turner was born in Pakistan, where her late father was a minister. Upon returning to the United States at age 10, she attended schools in Leon.
“I knew Darren was going to propose sooner or later. I just didn’t dream it would happen like it did,” she said.
“Jean Plummer took me back to the break room and asked me to help her look over applications. Since we were so busy, I thought it seemed strange. That he would propose to me didn’t cross my mind. I was really glad my family was here,” said Turner.
Dining room manager Michelle Perez said Little told her about the plan, and she and others were glad to cooperate.
“I knew about it—I went to get the rose,” she said with a laugh. “The customers all held balloons. Someone held traffic at the door; we all did what we could.”
The wedding is scheduled for Dec. 17 at the First Christian Church in El Dorado. The two will live in Emporia, where they plan to attend Emporia State University.
Darren Little has among his earthly treasures a beautiful, red 1966 Mustang, which he will sell.
“I’m going to sell it to pay for the wedding,” he said.
Are there any more like him?