There is exciting news happening at Pea Ridge High School! Ms. Heather Thompson, the beloved PRHS band director, is engaged! On Tuesday, March 4th, following the high school band concert, Ms. Thompson's longtime boyfriend, Brock, surprised her with a proposal on campus — and, fittingly, on National Marching Band Day.
For years, Ms. Thompson’s students have been in on the fun, teasing Brock anytime he attended a concert, asking, “Is today the day you’re finally going to ask her?” Ms. Thompson herself joked often about when the big moment might come, especially after the couple hit their five-year milestone — the agreed-upon timeline they had set for getting engaged. On this special evening, it finally happened.
"Brock knew how important band and my students are to me, so he wanted to make sure they were part of the moment," said Ms. Thompson. The students’ excitement was palpable, with senior trombone player Preston Wheeless even writing a joke on the whiteboard before the concert, hoping Brock might see it — completely unaware of what was about to unfold.
Heather and Brock’s love story began back in 2019 when a mutual friend introduced them while Heather was studying music. Their friendship formed quickly while working together at Domino's, and within a few months, they realized they had become something more. “We were watching a movie and looked at each other and asked, ‘Are we... dating?’” Heather laughed. From that moment, they picked March 13th, 2020, as their anniversary date — not only was it a Friday the 13th (perfect for two self-proclaimed spooky season fans), but it also happened to be National Nap Day, a fitting nod to Heather’s love of a good nap.
Since then, their families have become close as well. Heather’s family loved Brock from the start, even putting him through the ultimate test with a spicy chip challenge, and her nephews famously coined a song for him: “Brock-oli, Brock Brock-oli,” which they still sing today. Likewise, Heather instantly bonded with Brock's family, with his sister whispering to him after their first meeting, “She’s the one.”
Together, the couple are proud “paw-rents” to two dogs and are now starting the exciting process of planning their wedding. While nothing is set in stone just yet, they are aiming for an early June wedding in the summer of 2026.
“I always knew we were going to get married,” said Ms. Thompson. “It just feels right.”
Congratulations to Ms. Thompson and Brock! The entire Pea Ridge community is thrilled for you both as you march into this next chapter together.