Couple make their mark on history

POTTSVILLE — A Schuylkill County native wanted to blend a bit of history with his future on Saturday at the Schuylkill County Historical Society.

Joseph Radzievich, 45, originally of Pine Grove, proposed to Samantha Rayborn, 33, on Saturday at the former all-girls grammar school in the city.

It was a surprise he had planned for awhile. Saturday was special because it was the Winter Solstice — the shortest day of the year — and the future groom wanted to show that “even on the darkest day of the year our love for each other shines brightly,” he said.

Joseph Radzievich proposes to Samantha Rayborn Saturday at the Schuylkill County Historical Society. She said yes. AMY MARCHIANO/STAFF PHOTO

The couple, who live in Washington, D.C., both have public school teachers for parents, and they share a love of education and its power to transform hearts and minds.

At the historical society Saturday morning, the couple went on a brief tour before they walked into a room where Radzievich dropped to his knee, and looked up into Rayborn’s face.

He said how much he loved her and why he wanted to propose in that spot.

“Within these walls, generations of women dreamed they could be bigger than themselves. They aspired to break glass ceilings and false boundaries of the world they were born into,” Radzievich said.

He asked her to join him in a journey to write their own history.

“These walls and this building and this community represent America’s past. As I look to you, you represent America’s future and the possibilities and the promise of a better life and a better world,” he said.

Her answer?

“Of course.”

Samantha said she had an feeling something historic was in the making when he said he wanted to take a jewelry-making class. No, he didn’t make her a ring.

The couple met online three years ago. He is an attorney and a supervisory procurement analyst for the Department of Defense. She is originally from Mississippi and is an investigative attorney with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General.

Among her many attributes, he said he loves her intellect. She believes he is attractive.

They haven’t set a wedding date.

“I’m feeling very excited,” Samantha said about their future.

This is the first time anyone has gotten engaged in the historical society, said Diana Prosymchak, executive director.

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