St. Petersburg muralist Bask proposes to girlfriend by screaming 'it off the rooftop, literally'

ST. PETERSBURG

The day started like every other Saturday. Early riser Dana Hershkowitz, 27, jumped on the bed to wake her grumpy-in-the-morning boyfriend, Ales Bask Hostomsky, 37. He goes by Bask, and you have probably seen his murals all around downtown St. Petersburg.

Bask cracked an eye and Hershkowitz pounced, smothering him with kisses.

"I'm in hell. Loving, kissing hell," he half-joked.

Then breakfast along Central Avenue. He told her he had to go measure for a mural he is painting in City Gym down the street. She could tag along if she liked.

They stopped in front of the gym to talk to a friend, strategically planted to stop them in just the right spot.

And the banner came down. "Dana Will You Marry Me?"

Bask dropped to one knee. Hershkowitz opened her mouth, but no sound came out. He would really like to hear the word "yes." She stammered, she hugged, she squealed, she kissed. Finally she answered.

"I've told him a million times I want to make him miserable forever," Hershkowitz said with a laugh.

"I thought, if I'm going to propose, I need to tip the iceberg on how much this girl means to me. Scream it off the rooftop, literally," Bask said.

Mission accomplished.