Blog # 55: KFDI

Recently on the Wichita, Kansas radio station KFDI, my brother whom is currently serving his third deployment in Iraq as an United States Air Force security forces called the popular station to ask an important question for the entire world to hear- to ask his Girlfriend, Robyn Koehn for her hand in marriage. It was on Monday, March 8, 2010 when he called the radio station via skype. This proposal was actually video recorded because my brother was unfortunately on a secret mission that did not allow him to call the United States to talk live that day. He actually called to station weeks before Robyn’s birthday, because he knew plenty of time before the “taped proposal” that she was “the one.” Anyways, he called KFDI and had the radio station “record” his proposal via skype. Skype is basically an internet operating tool that allows you to video call or phone call or BOTH to someone who also has skype. He e-mailed KFDI and told them what exactly what he wanted to do and for them to call Robyn on her birthday at exactly 8:10 AM to release the recorded phone call from my brother because he knew for a fact that she listened to KFDI every morning on her 30 minute drive to work. He did not want KFDI to automatically call her with the question from my brother because that would have been weird for both Robyn and the listeners. My brother came up with an amazing plan for KFDI to have a “reason” to call her.Since my brother has been deployed several times, he knows what life is like over there for the Iraqi children. Every time he drives by the children in his Humvee they all have on dirty clothes, no shoes, and are holding their hands out expecting something. What was it though? All they wanted was a soccer ball to play with. As my brother was analyzing the Iraqi children, he came up with a plan to get the community involved to help these children live a better life. My brother and his girlfriend Robyn invented the “Soccer Ball Drive” for Iraqi children. This drive came well know all over Wichita and even made it all the way to California. Since it was impossible to have him develop this drive, his girlfriend helped out by making fliers. She was interviewed by several news broadcasters. To make a long story short, KFDI called Robyn to again interview her for the Soccer ball drive.The whole KFDI radio station that interviewed Robyn was really legit. She just thought she was getting yet another phone call for an updated story on how the soccer ball drive was going for the Iraqi children. She explained briefly how many balls she has collected and how my Brother was documenting a video of him actually giving out the soccer balls. The story really is touching in many ways.To Robyn’s surprise, KFDI then said “we actually have something to ask you.” Robyn hesitated for a moment then said “ok…?” MY brother’s heart warming recorded phone call then came on the air. He basically said how much he loved her and that he wants to spend the rest of his life with and then finally came to the terms “Robyn, will you marry me?” She gasped with excitement and said “Well yea! I will marry you, Derek!” Since this was recorded, my Brother had no clue if she said yes or no. For him to find out, was obviously her relationship stated on face book. It was such a touching story that listeners called in to give KFDI their input. It was the first ever live proposal on KFDI. Congratulations Derek and Robyn!!!