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Man proposes to girlfriend via hot air balloon
By Patti Welander
p.welander@mchsi.com
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LINCOLN — Did she say yes? Ross Green decided only a few weeks ago to propose to his girlfriend of two years, Jena Epping, during the Lincoln Art and Balloon Festival balloon glow, using a balloon co-owned by his father.

After several weeks of work and some bad weather, he got his answer Saturday night when Epping read a banner attached to the “Good Greeph” balloon and started to cry.

She said yes.

Green is enrolled in the Illinois State Police Academy and is home only on weekends. He relied on his parents, Bob and Beth Green, to help make the proposal a reality. Bob Green spent a week trying to contact a banner manufacturer and, when that failed, went to three places to get enough material for the banner.

Then Beth Green and her friends spent “countless” hours sewing material together and attaching four-foot letters to read “Jena, will you marry me?”

Green had planned the proposal for Friday night’s balloon glow, but the weather didn’t cooperate. On Saturday, wind delayed the night’s launch. It was getting dark when the balloon arrived at the airport for the glow, when tethered balloons are inflated and lit from inside.

The crew quickly put the banner on the balloon and then inflated the balloon with the banner away from the crowd. They turned the balloon around so it would be visible to Epping, who was among the crowd of spectators.

Take a look
Ross Green decided only a few weeks ago to propose to his girlfriend of two years, Jena Epping during the Lincoln Balloon Festival. (For the Pantagraph, Patty Welander)
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Reader comments on this story - 14 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

To Mindy Silver wrote on Aug 30, 2007 5:11 AM:

" Don't you have a picture in the upper right corner? "

Mindy Silver wrote on Aug 29, 2007 6:35 AM:

" Congratulations to you, Jena and Ross! I wish you nothing but the best life has to offer, and God's richest blessings on your marriage. What a beautiful story! Only wished there was a picture to accompany the article. I have not seen you in quite awhile. If you remember, your mom and I (and Rod) have been friends for a long time, from when you lived in the Quad Cities. God bless you both! "

Jena's Mom wrote on Aug 28, 2007 10:27 PM:

" This was so romantic. Ross put a lot of time into this proposal to make it very special so Jena will never forget it. He's a terrific person and will make a great husband to our daughter. They make a wonderful couple together. "

Florida relatives wrote on Aug 28, 2007 7:49 PM:

" Very romantic!!! We are looking forward to meeting Jena. Please keep us posted re wedding date, etc. Our best to the two of you. "

Laffy Taffy Joke.... wrote on Aug 28, 2007 12:51 PM:

" How "deflated" do you think he would have been if she said no?! "

TOO: Mr. Farmer City wrote on Aug 28, 2007 10:15 AM:

" That was not a nice thing to say. Very RUDE if you ask me!!! If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all. Didn't your parents ever teach you anything. I think this was a great idea!! Congrats!!!! May it last eternity!! "

to: Mr. Farmer City wrote on Aug 28, 2007 8:56 AM:

" It's not stupid it was a guy trying to be sweet it's not like they used your money!!!!!!!!! "

to: Mr. Farmer City wrote on Aug 28, 2007 8:55 AM:

" That's mean! Why are you attacking them? Are you jealous? "

Jena wrote on Aug 27, 2007 11:06 PM:

" I am in love with this man "

Chelle's Mom wrote on Aug 27, 2007 10:01 PM:

" Congrats Ross & Jenna! That was so romantic!! Jenna I think you are off to a wonderful start. I also think Mr. Farmer City doesn't have any unique ideas and is jealous is why he put such a mean comment in. I hope you ignore such trash. Michael & I couldn't be happier for the both of of you. Bev "

Mr. Farmer City wrote on Aug 27, 2007 8:12 PM:

" I think this was stupid. Probably some rich snobs. "

lincolnite wrote on Aug 27, 2007 6:26 PM:

" congrats ross! "

Chelly wrote on Aug 27, 2007 4:56 PM:

" Thats really sweet. Congrats to both of you and may you have a wonderfully long happy marriage. "

MM wrote on Aug 27, 2007 4:28 PM:

" Sooo cool, made me cry. Congratulations! "
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