Joseph, Mary Get Engaged at Mich. Nativity Scene

Joseph proposed marriage to Mary—in Michigan. Joe Maurer and Kate Heinlein became engaged during a break from portraying the parents of Jesus Christ. They were re-enacting the Nativity earlier this month for thousands of people at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Blumfield Township, near Saginaw. Dressed as Joseph, Maurer dropped to one knee to propose to Heinlein. They were taking a break and warming up from being outside in the live Nativity scene. Their families watched the big moment.

Maurer and Heinlein met in 2013 while also cast as Joseph and Mary. He got her phone number and eventually asked her for a date. They now live separately in the Kalamazoo area and plan to get married next fall. Heinlein tells the Saginaw News they're thankful the engagement occurred "during this amazing season." (More nativity stories.)