Chelsea Toston didn’t think much could top finally getting her bachelor’s degree in Administrative Leadership—it took her 10 years to finish. The December 2017 Convocation, however, held an element of surprise she wasn’t expecting. Her boyfriend, Jason Brand, an OU electrical engineering doctoral student, proposed to her on campus and was able to catch the surprise on camera.
With family in town from California and Missouri, the couple hired local photographer Darian Faulkner to take graduation photos on campus.
"He said he was so proud that I had finished this chapter in my life, and he asked if he could be part of my next chapter. Of course I said, ‘yes.’"
“After Convocation, Darian suggested we meet in the courtyard at Catlett to take some pics there. He had no idea what Jason’s plan was. He took a few pics of me in my robe with my diploma, then he had me sit on the bench to get pics of Jason and me,” Toston recalled. “I had ordered a class ring, but with all of the excitement that morning I completely forgot to put it on for convocation.”
As the couple sat on the bench, Brand reminded her about the ring and asked if she wanted to put it on.
“He handed me the ring box, and when I opened it I was shocked. It was a beautiful engagement ring. He said he was so proud that I had finished this chapter in my life, and he asked if he could be part of my next chapter. Of course I said, ‘yes.’”
Toston said sharing the proposal with family and friends, including her professor and mentor JoAnna Wall, along with catching the whole thing on camera, made it all the more special.
Toston and Brand are planning to marry Sept. 29 in Bethany.
