Sara Fahmy never got the filet mignon that Robert Abraham promised.
Their dinner plans changed. So did their lives.
"He had been weird and nervous all day," Fahmy said. "He had made a big deal about us going to dinner. We go to dinner all the time, but this was different."
Fahmy and Abraham intended to eat at a steakhouse on Dec. 30, until a friend -- a season-ticket holder for the Orlando Magic -- offered his seats to that night's game against the Brooklyn Nets. They accepted, just like Abraham intended all along.
He proposed to Fahmy at midcourt at Amway Center shortly before tipoff.
A sports event might not be the most traditional place to become engaged, but it suits couples in love with each other and the game. Teams and event organizers usually are willing to oblige all year round.
"It was very personal, even though it wasn't a personal setting," said Tongela Andrews, who accepted Antonio Holt's proposal at the Magic's game Nov. 13 against the Utah Jazz. "I really enjoyed it, and he tapped into me as a person."
The Magic receive requests for about 20-30 proposals per season, said Shelly Wilkes, the team's senior director of event presentation. Engagements have occurred at Orlando Solar Bears hockey games, Orlando Predators arena football games and at running events sponsored by Track Shack and runDisney. One even took place at the American Mud Race, an obstacle-course challenge, in Orlando in 2013.
"I was thinking, 'Wow, I just beat my personal record in the half marathon. Wait, what's happening?' " said Jenny Cate Hodil, a high school music teacher who said yes to Joe Omundson near the finish line after both completed the OUC Orlando Half Marathon in December. "He asked me to be his running buddy for life."
Even more than normal, proposals at sports events can be high-pressure situations. Instead of an audience of two, friends, family and perfect strangers serve as extras for the big moment, and all of the planning with team or race officials does not mean the big reveal will be executed seamlessly.
"The ring got stuck in my pocket," Holt said. "The box was so big. She asked about five times, 'What are you pulling out? What are you pulling out?' I was very nervous."
Said Andrews: "I was thinking, 'Oh, my God. Are you serious?' I will always remember the feeling. Overwhelmed."
Proposals at sports events might not be a good idea if the girlfriend prefers to avoid the spotlight, said Diane Forden, editor in chief of "Bridal Guide" magazine.
"A fabulous proposal can go viral, but it is really important to be creative, romantic, to make sure it is heartfelt," Forden said. "They should think about what their fiancee is like. Is she the type of woman who would prefer a more romantic, intimate setting, or is she the type of person who is always on social media, posting on Instagram?
"This type of woman would love that incredible roar of the crowd."
The memory of a sports-themed proposal lasts longer than the final result.
"The look on her face when I turned her around and got down on one knee ...," Omundson said of proposing to Hodil. "She had an awesome facial expression, surprised. I will remember the whole moment."
Holt said his engagement to Andrews was made more special because both are Magic fans.
"It was about how wide the scale is," Holt said. "You're really trying to profess your love to the world, and you don't mind the world seeing it. I couldn't think of any other stage to do it on."
Abraham said of his proposal to Fahmy: "Once they gave me the mike and I started talking, it felt like no one else was there."
Greg Jones and Renee Cermak were engaged during the Solar Bears' season opener Oct. 17 at Amway Center.
Jones asked that life-changing four-word question -- will you marry me? -- under the carefully crafted impression that the couple was selected at random for a trivia contest.
"When the guy picks us out and asks us to participate, she was like, 'I wonder what we are going to win,' " Jones said. " 'Well, I know what you are going to win.' "
Victories don't come sweeter.
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