VIDEO: A special holiday proposal happened during Appleton's Christmas parade. "I held a secret the whole time from buying the ring, to me lying about working, it's been a whole secret this whole time," says firefighter Bryce Sternhagen. Bryce and Samantha have been a couple for 7 years. Little did she know the surprise that awaited her when the Appleton Fire Department's float stopped in front of her. "I'm in shock, I had no idea," says Samantha Cucci. "It's just awesome to have all my family, all my friends here. I'm so excited, I don't know how we pulled it off." But he did and it certainly helped that Samantha's friends and family were able to keep their lips sealed.