WASHINGTON – Persistence pays off, and social media can help, too. A Loudoun County teenager got her wish in a big way last week when a Philadelphia Eagles player not only agreed to take her to the prom, but also surprised her by accepting in person.

NBC Washington reports that Hannah Delmonte, from Woodgrove High School in Purcellville, Virginia, asked Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho in January via Instagram whether he would take her to the prom if she could get 2,000 retweets on Twitter.

Acho held out for 10,000; Delmonte passed it easily.

And last Friday, while Delmonte and her mother were in the principal’s office on false pretenses, Acho surprised Delmonte with a No. 15 “Prom” jersey.

Comcast SportsNet Philly reports that Acho will not only accompany Delmonte to the prom, but also play the piano and sing for her.

See the report from NBC Washington: