Flight 2363

It’s been a while since Paul and I have posted here, a lot’s been going on lately! The most recent news… we’re engaged! Now for those of you who know us or have met us somewhere along the way, Paul Lovine and I have been doing this long distance SF-LA thing for about 6 years now. With projects like PaulandKat.com, little Nickel the “Hipster Dog”‘s tumblog, camping trips, and small adventures, we’ve definitely racked up on the mile count of flights we’ve had at Southwest Airlines. Considering how we see each other almost every weekend, it’s crazy to think about how much Lovine, Nickel and I have spent on these flights. (Yes, ever since Southwest Air opened their doors to small dogs, Nickel became a happy frequent flyer as well! He knows the drill!)

Pillbox hat custom made by our friend, Janie XY.

One typical Thursday flight, I was on my way to LA for a long weekend. It was Paul Lovine’s birthday, and I was on my usual routine: Leave work, take the BART and BART Bus to OAK Airport, wait at Gate – either read or sketch, get in the plane, and pass out (as this is the quickest way to get to Burbank). Little did I know that on this “typical” flight, I was already being watched as early as while I was waiting at the gate, and that when I passed out, I was to wake with the most unexpected (and pleasant) surprise!

Kat's Typical Pre-Weekend Pass Out Party

So I woke, mid-flight, to a flash of light, and the sound of a guitar. I open my eyes, and there Lovine stood, smiling, and playing. And a stranger stood next to him, also smiling, and taking photos. Hands with Iphones and such were faced my direction, taking photos or videos of that poor little shocked sleepy girl and her serenading boyfriend.

Paul Lovine Plays

It was a mix of emotions. Still half asleep, I was all confused and just kept saying “What’s this about??” “How did you get here?!” “What’s going on??” “Where are we?!?” “Is this a dream??”  It was pure confusion from a half-asleep girl! For a minute there I thought that the plane had already landed at Burbank and Lovine must’ve hopped onto it and we’re off to some other connecting flight. Yes, I was that knocked out not to feel a thing. Then my thoughts shifted to “Hey! Lovine’s playing “Real Love!” By the Beatles!” “Oh! Wow!” I remembered asking him some months ago if he can play that, because he normally plays any song I ask him to, but that particular song, he never really did. Turns out he was saving it for the big one.

Me, realizing that he was playing "Real Love"

Him, just rocking it out

I then just let it all go and sang along, people behind me were singing along too, and he finishes. Later on I found out that he printed out copies of the lyrics to pass out to the other passengers, which also included a Beatles cartoon drawing that I made years ago. And it wasn’t over. He then asked me to please step out to the aisle, because someone special wanted to say hello as well. And sure enough, it was Nickel! Popping out with that cute flight attendant hat from a bag I did not recognize! (I later on found out that Lovine had to get a new one, since Nickel’s flight bag was left up north with me.)

Paul Lovine knelt down and placed a ring on top of Nickel’s hat. I was shocked.

... Will you?

And at 30,000 feet above the ground,  I said YES.

Yes.

We're getting married!

It was amazing. Even more amazing on how his proposal happened in a place that’s really, really significant to our relationship. I am forever thankful to Southwest Airlines for not just helping my now fiancee make this possible, but also for the fact that this company is not just any airline you hop onto. They’re like one big family, ready to serve, and always happy. Their cheap flights made it possible for Lovine, Nickel and I to see each other almost every weekend, which helped make our relationship grow.

Nickel laughs, because he knew of all these plans all along.

Now here I am excited for all the adventure, and art, that’s in store for us! 🙂

For more photos of the proposal, and Paul Lovine’s side of the story as well (believe me, he went through a lot that day to get there!) click here.