Popa and Tilton: A 6-Man Proposal

Amid a crowd of some 60,000 beach volleyball lovers and players in costume, Chip Popa decided to make his move. Yes, the Chicago resident's move was on the sand during the Charlie Saikley 6-Man tournament in Manhattan Beach on Saturday, July 30, but it was an act of love that turned into a moment of jubilation.

Popa, 38, a member of Chicago-based Team Ditka, popped a proposal to the love of his life, Chicago-based Jessica Tilton, 33, during a timeout called by Tilton's friend and teammate Deanna Goodman during a Chicago Pinup Girls game the two were playing in.

The setup was indeed pretty sly.

Goodman, who knew of Popa's intention to propose to Tilton, gave him the signal during the Pinups' last game, when they were winning and in good spirits. She figured it was the best opportunity for Popa to make his move. Popa’s friend, Martin Furrer, stood nearby, camera in hand, to capture the moment.

“We were up 13-1 and Deanna called a timeout,” said the object of the proposal, Tilton. “I couldn’t understand why, but I felt that I had probably just missed something. The team huddled up in the middle of the court, and we were joined by Chip. This was not unusual for him to do. In the meantime, his entire team came to the court as well, and they were surrounding the huddle.”

Since Popa didn’t want Tilton to be suspicious, he gave a pep talk to the girls. After some encouraging words, Tilton soon realized that Popa had gotten down on one knee.

“He asked me to marry him, and I said ‘yes,’ as my trembling body fell into his arms to kiss him,” exclaimed Tilton.

Goodman described the proposal as a cool moment, especially since Tilton was very surprised.

After becoming engaged, Popa said the opposing team started cheering and complete strangers offered their congratulations. Tilton called it a perfect moment filled with joy, surprise and delight.

“Who in a million years could expect a timeout on the court to turn into a marriage proposal?" said Popa. "I wanted it to be a special moment where friends and family would be present because this is the person I love and want to be with for the rest of my life."

Popa may have had another agenda on his mind, too. "And this way, I am guaranteed to come back to 6-Man to celebrate this special occasion," said the Team Ditka member who has played in every 6-Man tournament since 2007.

Popa said he chose 6-Man as the place to pop the question to Tilton “for the simple element of surprise. I didn’t want to have Jess be suspicious of a one-on-one date or a walk on the beach,” he said.

Popa certainly accomplished his mission and the happy couple plans to celebrate its special day sometime in 2012. They've known each other for about four years and have been dating for around a year.

Popa and his Chicago buddies' team honors the famous Chicago Bears coach, Mike Ditka. For this year's tournament, Team Ditka dressed in costumes that consisted of Bike Coach Shorts, a Ditka T-shirt, a mustache and a Chicago hat.

Staying with the Chicago theme, Tilton’s team, the Chicago Pinup Girls, dressed in different swimsuits, each volleyball player wearing a sash to represent a month from a 1956 calendar.