The parking lot in front of Havre de Grace Middle School was buzzing with anticipation on Dec. 31 leading up to the midnight Duck Drop and fireworks display, when a sudden break in DJ Jeff Thompson's music made way for a special announcement.

From the DJ booth, Benjamin Warnick, 29, asked his girlfriend of two years to marry him.

Ashley Berry, 25, said yes.

The couple lives in Havre de Grace.

Warnick, who said he has known Berry since she was born, told Patch he had been carrying the ring around for the past month but was waiting for the right time to propose.

Berry said she was completely surprised.