Celebrities

Dallas Cowboy Helps Dallas-area Soldier Start His “Happily Ever After”

• January 22, 2008
• by Tracey Lyles

Robbins Bros. and Dallas is Love partner to help local soldier surprise girlfriend with fairy tale proposal

Robert Blackburn, a 22 year-old senior airman with the U.S. Air Force has been dreaming of the day he can put aside the stress of war and separation, and marry the love of his life. While still in Iraq, Blackburn was having problems coordinating a surprise proposal once he returned home. A friend contacted the Dallas-based non-profit group Dallas is Love and with the help of Robbins Bros., World’s Biggest Engagement Ring Store, his dream came true.

On Friday, January 18th, Blackburn popped the question and surprised his girlfriend, D’ann Campbell at the Adolphus Hotel. Dallas Cowboy great from the 70s, tight-end Billy Jo DuPree helped the senior airman make the “catch of a lifetime,” assisting him with his secret proposal to his sweetheart. Billy Jo heard that Robert was a huge Dallas Cowboys fan and couldn’t resist becoming his wingman.

Campbell, thinking she was attending a party with a friend at the hotel, was met in the elegant lobby by DuPree who escorted her to a section of the hotel where her boyfriend was waiting on a balcony to propose to her. After an overwhelmed D’ann replied “yes,” friends of the couple, hotel staff and representatives of Robbins Bros., toasted the couple and wished them luck. Afterwards, Blackburn whisked his new fiancée away to a romantic dinner in the French Room restaurant.

“It was really hard for me to even get to the internet over there and so I was thankful that Robbins Bros. was there to help me with the ring selection and with the proposal,” said Blackburn. “It’s hard to say in words how much I appreciate everyone’s help in making this happen for me and D’ann.”

As part of its A Soldier’s Perfect Holiday Marriage Proposal program, Robbins Bros. joined forces with Dallas is Love, a local non-profit group, to identify deserving military men and women who were looking to propose to their significant other around the holiday season.

Because of his moving request, as well as the testimony of good friend and fellow soldier Amy Buffaloe, Blackburn was selected from numerous applicants and was given a $3,000 gift certificate toward the purchase of an engagement and wedding ring as well as assistance in coordinating his dream proposal.

“We are in the business of love and so it is always special when we can make a dream proposal come true,” said Tanya Stafford, general manager for Robbins Bros. Dallas location. “In addition, we take this opportunity to thank Robert and all the thousands of military men and women serving our country and recognize the sacrifices they are making on our behalf.”

Blackburn calls Rowlett home but is currently stationed in Utah. Campbell is a student at Dallas Baptist University with plans to graduate this year. Throughout their approximately three year relationship, the couple has only seen each other for a total of one month because of his assignments overseas. The two hope to get married before Blackburn is shipped back to Iraq, which is scheduled for January of 2009.

Founded in 2004, Dallas is Love is a 501c-3 non-profit organization created by joint efforts by siblings Tania and Patrick Foster. Tania is a freshman at University of Texas at Dallas and Patrick is a junior at Sachse High School. Dallas is Love raises money to convert into AAFES (Army and Air Force Exchange Service) gift cards to benefit all four branches of the military.

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Tracey Lyles

A hopeful romantic and enthusiastic UCLA grad, Tracey serves as Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Robbins Brothers. For leisure she enjoys shopping, dancing, hosting parties for family & friends and staying abreast of the latest celebrity news.

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