It was worth it.

This is one of my proudest moments.

Here's the story.

Jessica and I started dating when she was 14 and I was 17.

After five years, I decided to propose to her.

I nervously asked her dad's permission.

He said yes.

After his approval, I put the rest of my secret plan into action.

I was flying as a pilot a lot back then, and Jessica had joined me many times.

Lance and Jessica flying

So, I asked her if she wanted to go on a business flight with me to Cleveland.

I assumed she would just say yes.

Horrifyingly, she said, "No thanks."

My heart dropped.

I had so many things lined up. I had scheduled the flight, rented a car, bought the ring, reserved a hotel, and gotten her father’s permission.

I'm like, "What??!! (And then desperately)…What if we pay you?"

And reluctantly, she said..."ok."

Jessica loading the plane for the trip

On May 22, 1997, our official dating anniversary, we loaded up and took off from the Piqua, Ohio, airport.

I kept pretending that we were going to Cleveland until we got over the city, and I pointed out and said, "We're not landing in Cleveland….because I have a surprise for you."

"We're not going to Cleveland…I have a surprise for you.”

I retrieved my hidden AAA travel book, handed it to her, and told her to pick out some things she wanted to do. She was so excited!

We continued on and landed in Buffalo, New York, about an hour later.

We taxied into the small airport, where the ground crew led us up to the hangar and directed me to shut down the engine. I still remember how he placed the small 5x7 red carpet for us to walk on when we exited the plane. That was cool.

I had a rental car waiting. We hopped in and quickly drove across the border to our Canadian hotel.

I proposed that night right next to Niagra Falls.

She said yes.

She said yes!

Pics from the Proposal

It’s 27 years later.

It was worth it

Happy Anniversary, Beautiful.

12/12

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