Frank has never in the entire time I've known him been able to surprise me so imagine how amazing this story is considering I though the proposal was at least a year away. We were on our way to Florida to visit my family for Passover. This story starts as we got on the Metro to travel to the airport. I realized while we waited for the train to come that I forgot my ring (the one that frank and I both have). I told Frank how sad I was and he (with a very straight face) said that he was sure we could buy a new ring somewhere in the airport or in Florida, giving nothing away as to what was about to happen. He even took a picture of us (see the photo section) on the way to save for later without me realizing a thing.

Once at the airport Frank remained calm as can be even as our fight became more and more delayed. We ended up on a different airplane with a different pilot and Frank remained calm as can be.

We finally got on the plane and remained seated for the first 30 minutes (as required by the Federal Government) of the flight out of DC National Airport. After the 30 minutes the pilot usually announces to the plane that we are free to move about the cabin and our cruising altitude. Instead, the lights turned on (which I thought was very odd and suspected that someone was about to propose) and he said "Ladies and Gentlemen, we are now approximately 3300 feet above Roanoake, VA with clear skies. If I could have everyone's attention to the left side of the plane (everyone looked out the windows to the left), more specifically Row 18". He then said "Ms. Edelman, will you please stand up." I never thought they meant me. I quickly shoved my knitting in the bag and half stood half knelt facing Frank. He was getting out of his seat and pulling out his sidekick. I thought "Is he really going to take a picture of himself proposing?", but he was actually taking out the sidekick because he put the ring in the bottom of his case. He then put the ring in his hand and passed it to me. I took the ring as he asked "Will you marry me?" Of course I said yes. The pilot gave the flight attendent his camera to take a picture of us. Everyone clapped, and then the lights turned off again and we had our privacy to enjoy our happiness in our own row. On the way off the plane, the pilot handed Frank a copy of the email, in case we wanted to keep it.

Later in the airport a pilot came up to me and asked to see the ring. At first I was frightened by this man walking straight up to me but then I realized he was our pilot. We had many people from the plane constantly coming up to us wishing congratulations. We then got on our next flight and arrived in Florida where I could enjoy the engagement with my parents, grandparents, and brother.

Frank had corresponded with the manager of the airport for several months prior to the flight. He finally got the manager to forwarded an email to the pilot explaining what Frank wanted the pilot to say. The manager helped Frank figure out a way that he can hide the ring in a way that they won't pull it out at the security checkpoint.

The next chapter? Well... that's in the blog.