The Date of a Lifetime
Who plans a date three months in advance? From December, when he received my father's full approval, to March Jovanni has been planning this romantic, elaborate, and unforgettable proposal:
The Context
Knowing that I might suspect something, Jovanni's been creatively distracting me from the subject of marriage as it would naturally come up in our conversation. After celebrating our 5th monthiversary this March, Jovanni has been saying things like: "we're not ready for marriage" and "we need to wait longer--be patient". So, with those conversations in mind, I've been training myself to be patient. Yet I have still been praying with marriage in mind, while at the same time never thinking that a proposal would happen anytime soon.
However, over the past month, Jovanni's been hinting that he has a pilot friend that wants to offer him a helicopter ride over the city and maybe he could bring me. He told me Thursday that we were going to go on a fancy date on Saturday morning and then on Friday told me that Saturday was the day we were going to go up in the helicopter. I was elated that the opportunity had finally arrived and that I was invited to go! Again, not suspecting a thing!
That Morning
However when the morning of March 19th came to leave on our helicopter tour, Jovanni acted uncertain that he wanted to go. I urged him on saying, "We have to go! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity."
So we met up with Jovanni's pilot friend Ray at a local coffee shop and headed to the hangar together. It was fascinating to see all the helicopters and walk inside this tiny airport that I have driven by often and wondered about.
Our close friend, Luis, came along to narrate and film the journey, and his commentary added a lot of humor to the experience.
After more pictures and getting to know our pilot, Jovanni and I climbed into the back seats of the helicopter behind Captain Ray and Luis. We buckled in and strapped on our headphones/headsets, ready to take off. My excitement trumped any feelings of anxiety and I was grateful for this incredible privilege.
As we ascended into the air, the familiar sites and stores around me began to take on new perspective. Ray acted like our tour guide and pointed out Cerro Ancon, Albrook Mall, Casco Viejo, the Causeway, Panama Viejo, and Costa Del Este. I was intrigued and was trying to take as many pictures as I could. Jovanni helped me change headsets, so we could all communicate over the noise of the helicopter.
It was a foggy day, but even so, we had the clearest bird's eye view of Panama City. I felt like we were effortlessly floating and gliding through the sky. I looked over at Jovanni and thought how full my heart was at that moment. I loved him, and I was overjoyed and deeply grateful to share this helicopter ride together. A trip we would never
forget!
Emergency Landing?
I was relishing this peace and continuing to take in the view, when Ray the pilot, commented that one of the emergency lights in the helicopter had turned on and that we would have to find somewhere to land right away. I began to feel a bit nervous for our tiny crew. I started to pray that we would find a safe place to land and that everything would be alright. Everyone was strangely calm in the plane.
Jovanni, noticing my desire to pray, slipped his hand in mine, and, as we prayed, I felt peace again. I was with a talented pilot I could trust, I was with the person I loved the most, and most of all, I was reassured that God had us all in His hands and He was watching over us.
Meanwhile, I scanned the rooftops for the helipad where I thought we would land. We were rounding the corner of Paitilla, near the Trump tower, and I imagined us being lowered by ropes onto one of the hotel roofs. Just like a spy movie!
The Question and the Answer
But I wasn't paying much attention to what was actually in front of us, and I almost missed it. Jovanni pointed towards the front window of the helicopter. "Look! Something is happening over there."
I turned in the direction he was pointing and saw a huge pink sign with the words: "Will you marry me?" printed in bold letters. I looked at Jovanni with eyebrows raised, then turned back to read the sign again. I couldn't believe it.
"For me?" I asked, in shock.
Here I was thinking we had to make an emergency landing but instead Jovanni was proposing!
"Yes. Will you marry me?" Jovanni looked at me with so much love in his eyes.
I didn't have to think much for the answer I had been praying months over. But, in the surprise of it all, filled with all range of emotion, I couldn't get the words out. I smiled and nodded yes. We kissed as the helicopter descended to the ground where our closest friends were waiting. I looked back at Jovanni--thinking "This is real. He's going to be my husband." I was completely flabbergasted.
We landed, and I sat there a minute as I watched the moment unfold like a dream. Jovanni hopped calmly out of the plane and walked to the end of the giant sign. With a closer look, I realized that the people holding the sign were our close friends from church. I couldn't have been happier that they were there to witness this and celebrate with us!
I started to step out of the helicopter to join Jovanni, remembering at the last second to take my headset off. I waved and said thank you to our friends who had given up their Saturday morning to be there for us.
Then, all of a sudden, all I saw was Jovanni. He was kneeling on the pavement with an open box in hand. I walked toward him, feeling more confidence and peace with each step. He didn't have to ask the question again. His intention was clear and so was my answer. Bending down, I looked him in the eyes and kissed him. We helped each other stand to our feet, and he slipped the most gorgeous diamond ring on my finger. I told him "yes, a hundred times yes," and we embraced.
Our friends erupted in cheering, and we spent time recounting the story of it all and taking pictures, and I was handed a gorgeous bouquet of tulips-my favorite flower! Even in that moment, I was still shocked every time I looked down at my left hand or looked into the face of the one who would be my husband.
Jovanni is a master planner, and our friends had known the plan for weeks. The proposal was better than I could have ever dreamed; and he caught me completely by surprise!
But there was still the final part of our helicopter tour, so we hugged our friends and climbed back into the tiny, yet thankfully reliable aircraft. Jovanni and I sat side by side holding hands and smiling that his plan was a total success and looking forward to a future together. I began to pray again, a different kind of prayer than before. And I felt the deepest sense of peace and joy from the Lord.
The Prayer
I praised Him for His abundant goodness, His perfect timing and provision. He answered above and beyond my wildest dreams, teaching me what love really means, and He continues to work in unbelievable ways!
As I reflected, the Lord put in my heart one of the promises in Scripture He had given me in my years of waiting and trusting.
Ephesians 3:20-21
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
We must hold tight to this promise and not give up hope and not stop working to bring people to know His abundant love. That is our prayer and motive as Jovanni and I prepare for marriage. That we may do more for Christ than we could ever do alone; that we can honor Him through our our resources, our family and our faith in every situation.
We ask you to join us in prayer and may each day count for a lifetime.
