Flooded by love

The proposal

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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Pro wrestling is known for wild and crazy events. I've witnessed countless things first hand that people who aren't fans simply wouldn't get. But there are also kinder, gentler moments. And luckily Saturday night I was on hand for one at the Stride Pro Wrestling show.

Tony Flood, a long time bad guy in the ring but a good guy behind the scenes, came to the ring after intermission. In his hands, two champagne flutes and a bottle of sparkling grape juice. After all Stride Pro Wrestling is family friendly. Tony wanted to celebrate his upcoming championship opportunity for the vacant heavyweight title. Tony invited his girlfriend Macey into the ring to join in. 

The two shared a toast and Tony thanked Macey for always being there for him. Then the former champ dropped to one knee and in front of a now cheering crowd (odd for Tony Flood), he asked for Macey's hand in marriage. She accepted and the two shared a kiss as the fans applauded loudly. 

The celebration was shortlived as Heath Hatton and General Manager Sam Hunter entered the picture to snap Tony back to reality. The match between him and Hatton will be a 60-Minute Iron Man Match set for Saturday, March 2 at 600 North Carbon Street in Marion, Illinois. 

But back to the important part of this post, not to say that the title match isn't. I want to congratulate Tony and Macey and thank them for sharing that moment with the fans of Stride and all their friends backstage. Since meeting Tony three years ago, I've seen him experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I'm happy to see he is so happy again.  Cheers to the couple and may the best man win at Strideiversary. 

3 Reasons to use Facebook Live

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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Before Facebook offered its live option to all users, I was fortunate enough to have my professional page verified and was given access to the live feature. In my job as a broadcast journalist I most often used it as a way to give viewers a behind the scenes at the TV station. Engagement levels were low despite high viewership. Most of the comments were "Cool!" or "Thanks for showing us this." 

But I always felt like there was more that could come from the live feature. When the station's Facebook page started using the live feature, many of my colleagues continued using it as a behind the scenes function. Viewers love that, but engagement levels are low. 

About two months ago I started doing a feature on my page What's on your mind? Wednesday. Each week at 7:30 a.m. CST I fire up Facebook Live and sit at my work desk and talk to viewers. I answer their questions and engage in actual conversations with people I've never met. It's not just people watching and making declarative statements. They ask me things about what's happening in the news, what we're working on for future stories and what's my favorite restaurant. It's a great way to spend 45 to 60 minutes a week.

As a blogger, podcaster and YouTuber; I'm trying to employ this feature more. Last week I did a live taste test of BootyO's cereal. Here's an explanation. Having a solid subject to talk about also helps to build that engagement. While the segment didn't have the reach as my professional page, it was successful none-the-less. So why should you try Facebook Live?

1. I've already talked about it, but I can't say enough about the engagement factor. Actually acknowledging the comments (the ones that aren't cries for attention) keeps viewers coming back for more. The end game is to increase your audience. The more people who you interact with during the course of the live stream the better. I also go back and read the comments and type out answers to questions or concerns that pop up. Show some personality too.

2. You get to know your readers, viewers, or customers better. When I talk to viewers and they talk back to me I'm learning more about their lives, their families and what they're wanting to see on the news. I use that input each week to come up with content and story ideas for the newscast I co-anchor. I forward information on to my colleagues. Because Facebook puts more emphasis right now on live content more people are likely to see the video. It's still relatively new and people want to see how it works. On the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page last week I picked up a handful of new likes for it.

3. Not everyone can watch the video live and maybe it'll never pop up in your friends' or followers' newsfeed. So that same content can be edited and posted on YouTube and have a more permanent place. While streaming live on my phone, I recorded my review on my iPad. I took that 20 minutes of content and edited it down to about five minutes and posted it to YouTube. 

So, join me on Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m. CST for What's on your Mind? Wednesday and Thursdays at noon CST for talk about what's happening in the world of pro wrestling. (Catchy title pending).

She Said Yes, Obviously

Down on bended knee...

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

March 15, 1994 I asked one question that changed my life forever (most days I'll say for the better). I was a junior in college and had been dating the love of my life for nearly two years.  It wasn't long after Lisa and I started dating that I knew she was the one for me.

It was a Tuesday night and Lisa had just gotten home from work.  I had talked with my Sigma Nu brothers about getting some help with my proposal.  They agreed and about 30 of us gathered outside Towers South on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University. We waited outside on that chilly night as one of my lifelong friends, also named Kevin (and who coined my Dexter nickname) convinced Lisa she needed to come downstairs.  I think he told her he needed help getting my birthday gift upstairs and asked for her assistance.  I don't know if she really bought it, but the two of them soon emerged from the building.

Showing off the "rock" 

Once they made it to the middle of walkway, I emerged from behind another building, followed by my brothers.  They formed a circle around us and I handed Lisa and stuffed bear, a single red rose, and a dozen white roses (the flower of my fraternity).  I took her hand and got down on one knee and told her how much I loved her and that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I asked her to marry me as I nervously slipped a ring onto her finger.  She said yes and as we hugged and kissed, my brothers belted out the tune "Sigma Nu Girl."  

After several rounds of handshakes, hugs, and congratulations, Lisa and I made our way back up to her room.  We may or may not have celebrated with some Boone's Farm wine.  Like I said, we were both living on campus at the time and drinking alcohol, especially by minors is prohibited.  I do not condone such behavior by any current or future student reading this post.

Us with that bear (which she still has)

Our engagement ended up lasting longer than either of us had originally planned.  We wanted to wait until we were both out of college.  We finally got hitched more than three years after I popped the question.  Several of those Sigma Nu brothers were at the wedding and reception, and serenaded us once again with "Sigma Nu Girl" and "The White Star of Sigma Nu."  

It's hard for me to believe it's been 20 years since I asked Lisa to marry me.  The adventures we've shared since then have been incredible.  There are plenty more in store for us.  Babe, I love ya.