Couple becomes 1st to get engaged at Obama Presidential Center

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Team WLS logo
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 12:47PM
Couple becomes first to get engaged at Chicago Obama Center

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Love is in the air at the Obama Presidential Center.

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The campus celebrated its first-ever marriage proposal.

Purvis Funches surprised his girlfriend, Vanessa Beene, with what she thought was a family picnic.

That's before he handed her a custom photo book.

On the final page were four simple words: "Will you marry me?"

When she looked up, Funches was on one knee.

Couple gets engaged at the Chicago Obama Center
Couple gets engaged at the Chicago Obama Center

She said yes, and both families rushed in to celebrate.

The moment was especially meaningful because Beene works for the Obama Foundation, making it a milestone she'll never forget.

"The Obama Presidential Center symbolizes hope for me. This relationship symbolizes great love for me. Now I get to hold both in the same place," she said.

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