Love was in the air during A Freddy Cole Holiday on Friday at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC). 

Following the show’s intermission, Cole came out to start his second act.  Before he began however, he asked a member of the audience, Linda Wilder, to join him on the stage. 

The confused Wilder came on to the stage and Cole informed the audience that “there was a young man who was in pursuit of her.”  With that line, Michael Bollinger, Executive Director of SOPAC and Wilder’s longtime boyfriend, came out onto the stage and called her over to him.  As tears started to flow from Wilder’s eyes, Bollinger got down on one knee.

“Dearest Linda ‘Kitten’ Wilder, I would be honored if you would consider taking my hand in marriage,” Bollinger said.

She accepted as the crowd applauded. 

"How bout' that," remarked Cole.

Then the two shared their first dance as fiancés while Cole played An Affair to Remember.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while and I was trying to figure out exactly what was the way to do it that was special,” Bollinger said afterwards.

Bollinger called Cole’s agent and asked if this was possible and Cole was all for it.  Bollinger went out and bought the ring and the rest was history.

“It’s amazing,” Wilder said.  “I’m numb.  I’m rarely speechless, yet I am.”