NEW YORK CITY — Michella Calix's heart "soared" as she watched her boyfriend, Police Officer Michael Velazquez, walk across the stage at Thursday's police graduation to receive a special award from the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association.
A soldier and chaplain in the United States Army, he received the award for outstanding company sergeant — and had dreamed his whole life of being a police officer.
Their day only got better after the ceremony ended.
Outside of Madison Square Garden, Velazquez — surrounding by his fellow officers and instructors from his company — got down on one knee and asked Calix, who he met as they studied criminal justice at Monroe College, to marry him.
"You are a strong and independent woman, yet your grace is so pure and your heart is so beautiful," he said.
"Whenever I've been in a dark place, you've always been there to lift me out."
As the siren of an antique police car blared, and his fellow graduates cheered, she said yes. Velazquez, 26, jumped up in celebration.
SHE SAID YES! Newly minted @NYPDnews P.O. Velasquez had much to celebrate today. His new #NYPD career & his new fiancee, Michella. Congrats! pic.twitter.com/hXPh6od40V
— Sgt. Carlos Nieves (@NYPDNieves) June 29, 2017
The pair have both dedicated their lives to helping others. Calix, also 26, works at Boys Town and is studying for a master's degree in psychology.
Velazquez said he "wanted to join the NYPD to be a part of changing the relationship between the people we serve and us in blue."
"We're go-getters and we're here to be a change," he said. He's been assigned to the 50th Precinct in the Bronx.
The pair, who live in Yonkers, may do a small wedding ceremony at City Hall, Calix said. For a honeymoon, they could go to Italy or Costa Rica.
"Wherever she wants to go, we're gonna go," Velazquez said, exuberant.
"It feels like the most best day of my life!"
