News 12 at 6 o'clock; October 2, 2008

AIKEN CTY, S.C. --- A day of honors for an Aiken County teacher. First, she thinks News 12 is there to congratulate her being named Teacher of the Year at Midland Valley Prep. Now, the real surprise -- all the way from Afghanistan.

It's an unforgettable day for Paula Scott. She's caught off guard and now it's time to raise the glass and make a toast.

It's inside the classroom at Midland Valley Prep where Paula Scott teaches her kids to dream big. But, she didn't expect her own dream to become a reality on this day.

"Every morning when I wake up, it's you who wakes me up and it's you who makes me start my days off," says SSG Kevin Murray in a marriage proposal video from Afghanistan. "I can't live my life without you Paula."

Words from across the sea where Murray's dream is about to become his reality.

"I would like to ask you, will you marry me Paula Ann Scott? Can you make me the happiest man on earth? Will you say yes to me? I'm running home, I'll swim the ocean," says Murray. "I'm coming to you because I love you. I can not wait to come home. Will you please marry me?"

Paula didn't have to wait long to answer. That's because Kevin heard it all the way in Afghanistan, on a cell phone.

"Hang on," Paula says to Kevin. "Let me ask my class. What do you say?"

That's when the kids screamed out a loud, "YES," the answer is "YES," says Paula.

"He wants to make it official," Paula tells her mother. She her mom came over and put the ring on her finger that Kevin bought, but Paula's mother had for today's surprise. "That's a big deal, isn't it," says Paula. "I don't know how this feels!"

"He always goes above and beyond and I wouldn't expect anything less," says Paula.

For Kevin, a California man, he made sure to propose in a real Southern Style.

"Paula said you know you have to ask my dad and he said, oh my gosh, no," says Paula's mom Judy. "Not your dad! So, he called Paul and asked for her hand in marriage."

Gene, "So dad, your daughter's engaged. What do you think?"
Paula's Dad Paul, "Good!"
Gene, "She's finally off your hands, right?"
Paul, "Right!"

It's a real excited soon-to-be wife Paula, "you can't see Ms. Scott's bling bling when you're covered up like that," she says to one of the students in the school.

Of course, there are really excited students, too.

Paula, "Let me help you!"
A Midland Valley Prep Student, "Good God!!!"

"It's beautiful. Good job Kevin, good job," says a teacher at the school.

It's kisses all around as Paula asks her niece "Can I have some kisses?"

It's a families' welcome to a man who's protecting our freedom.

"Kevin! We love you! Welcome to the family! Take care!," says the family.

"Hey, Kevin, come home safely," says Paula. "I love you... and LOOK!! (as she shows the ring off to the world)."