​It’s still feeling new, maybe even a touch surreal. Yet Valentin Noël can’t help but grin and chuckle whenever the moment is brought up, especially the introduction that labels him as “newly-engaged,” a phrase with a surprisingly pleasant ring to it. “It’s one of those nights you’ll remember forever,” the New Mexico United midfielder said after Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Oakland Roots SC. And it was certainly memorable for the 27-year-old Frenchman and his now-fiancée, Kate Levitt. While that endgame—the engagement—was the objective all along, there was also the practical side of ensuring June 26 unfolded as smoothly as possible. Or at least that was the hope.
“That was a long setup,” Noël admitted. “A lot of logistics, as it usually is.” There’s extra weight to logistics when the arrangement doubles as a life-changing surprise, not just a routine moment. The first step was securing the ring, after which Noël had to pick a proposal location. Fortuitously, a built-in courtesy within the USL Championship schedule—the mental health break and a few days off from training—provided the perfect cover.
A brief retreat to Durango, Colorado, with United teammates Jake LaCava, Justin Rennicks, and Greg Hurst—along with their partners—proved ideal. The second phase involved arranging the scene without tipping off Levitt. Noël told her he wanted to dine at a mountain-side restaurant so they would have a tasteful excuse to dress up. En route, they paused at the Lion’s Den vantage point, which surveys the Durango and La Plata mountains and offers sweeping views as the sun began to set. “It was pretty,” Noël recalled. “And I said what I prepared to say.”
The third and perhaps most nerve-wracking piece was the actual proposal moment. Predictably, Levitt said yes, her reaction a joyful confirmation of Noël’s plan. “She had no idea and that was my goal,” Noël said with a smile. “Or at least, I wanted to make sure she didn’t expect anything. She’s thrilled about the ring and everything. Great times, memorable times.” He even enlisted a photographer as an extra surprise to capture the moment for memories 30 to 40 years down the line. The photos, he said, turned out amazing. Levitt captioned them “Pour la vie”—for life.
Their story stretches back to Noël’s final season at Pitt in 2022, when the couple first crossed paths. They began dating officially after he was selected by Austin FC in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, and their journey since has been a string of stops—from Texas to Las Vegas to Albuquerque. “Honestly, both of our families were stoked,” Noël shared. “Her parents knew before I told them I planned to propose, and mine did too, but when we announced it, everyone was happy. It was a bit of a surprise for everyone.” If Santa Fe’s reactions were any indication, the excitement has only grown.
And what about the wedding itself? Plans are still on pause, as the couple prefers to savor this new phase for the moment. “Not yet,” Noël said. “We’ll enjoy this phase right now a bit.” For now, he’s soaking in the meaning of “newly-engaged,” the joy of a surprising proposal set against a stunning sunset, and the knowledge that life’s next chapter is unfolding with Levitt by his side. David Glovach covers New Mexico United for better SEO, but for Noël and Levitt, the story is about life’s unexpected turns, the beauty of a well-timed surprise, and the promise of a shared future that feels, as Levitt’s caption suggested, truly for life.