This week we are commemorating the launch of our new feature “Look Who’s Engaged!” by posting a couple submissions we received during our Black & Gold Parasol contest. The first submission comes from the contest winner Brandi Liberty:

For years Brandi has always gone to Lincoln, Nebraska for her birthday.  This year I decided to change things up a bit so that she would not suspect that I would be proposing to her.  Instead of going to Nebraska, I decided to plan a surprise trip to New Orleans. Getting to New Orleans was going to be easy.  Brandi and her mom had vouchers that expired Sept. We decided to buy two one way tickets from Kansas City to New Orleans.  The next step was getting the ring back from the jeweler.  Since I designed the ring, there were many steps involved that had to be done in order for the ring to be complete. Additionally, I was also trying to conserve costs where necessary.

Finally, ring was done but  it was too big and there were few minor things I wanted changed so I sent it to Brandi’s uncle in Mobile, Alabama who is a jeweler.  Cory, her uncle, receives the ring and begins working on it.  Meanwhile, I was trying to arrange plans in New Orleans for us, figure out hotel accommodations, and find two one-way plane tickets home.  With the help of Gerri, Brandi’s mom, we were able to get a very nice hotel downtown and find reasonable rates for our return flight home.

Two days before we are scheduled to leave I still had not received the ring from her uncle.  Finally I get word that it’s on its way, insured and with a tracking number assigned.  The next morning, the ring was supposed to be here and I realized there was a typo on the mailing address.  I call the UPS store and they sent it back to the warehouse for return in Mobile, Alabama.  I was able to be refunded the shipping costs, and hold the ring for a few hours, which gave me time to go pick up the ring in Kansas City.  I found my way to the UPS warehouse and there it is!  I had it in my possession and we were all set.  Now, I just needed my proposal idea to go as planned.

The week prior to leaving I went to the airport to speak with the airline company about my proposal idea.  Basically, I wanted them to help facilitate an unsuspecting proposal with a bit of humor. I knew Brandi would be suspecting the typical proposal every time we would be out alone, especially if we were at a fancy place, or dressed up nicely. However, I wanted my proposal to be different.

The idea was that Brandi and I would board the plane where the flight attendants would play along with this skit I created:

Flight Attendant:  “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. We are delighted to welcome you aboard flight 0556 with service to New Orleans.”

Flight Attendant:  “Today we are excited to announce we are allowing one lucky passenger to recite the pre-flight safety announcement.  As a reward we will present this passenger with a travel voucher valued at one hundred and fifty dollars.”

Flight Attendant:  “The passenger that has been randomly chosen is seat 5C; Brandi Liberty.  Brandi Liberty please find your way to the front of the aircraft for instruction.”

Brandi Liberty: “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Brandi Liberty and I am delighted to welcome you aboard flight 1376 with service to New Orleans.”

Brandi Liberty: “Please ensure that your seat belt is fastened, your seat back is upright and your tray-table is stowed. Your safety is our first priority.”

Brandi Liberty: “Please focus your attention to the passenger in seat 5B, his name is Terry Jones and he’s about to ask me to marry him.”

Terry Jones: “ I will now ask you to be my wife – I hope you say yes!  Happy Birthday and congratulations!  I love you very much.  This is going to be a great weekend in New Orleans!”

Overall, my plan worked!  The flight attendants were great and Brandi was so shocked and happy.  Brandi admitted later that she thought I was up to something but just thought I was playing a joke on her and somehow arranged for her to be the “chosen passenger.” She would never have suspected I would have proposed on the plane.

At last we are engaged and the wait was over.  Now, it was time to go to New Orleans and have fun, or not?

The previous week I had been fighting a sinus infection and thought I was pretty much over. However, when flying to New Orleans, I realized my ears would not clear that I could be in for some trouble when I landed.

The next day the pain was worse, and I could tell was not going to go away.  I spent the majority of the day in the Urgent Care facility where I would get two shots in my ear, and one shot in each hip.  I was also informed that it would probably take 5-7 days before the infection would clear.  Meaning, my trip is not going to be as exciting as I had hoped for and that if I flew again before my ears healed I would most likely rupture my ear drum.

The next day we evacuated New Orleans because of Hurricane Gustav with Brandi’s sister and her family making our way to Memphis where we stayed for the next two days waiting to see how the storm was going to affect the region and also how we would be returning home. The problem came because I couldn’t fly, rental cars were sold out, and the bus and train systems were full and required some complicated connections.

Then, I remembered that Brandi’s other cousin who lives next door to us was in Memphis on vacation and we were able to arrange a ride home with them.  Had it not been for her cousin’s we would have most likely had to stay another day or two in Memphis deciding on another plan to return home.

To see the Brandi and Terry’s engagement video click here: www.liberty-jones-wedding.com.

Check back on Monday for another engagement story! In the meantime  post your engagement announcement today!