A man proposes to his girlfriend while flying thousands of feet in the air, transforming an ordinary flight into an extraordinary life moment.
A Love Story Soars Above the Clouds
Sam Riber, a 34-year-old CEO from Pennsylvania, took inspiration from the Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore movie, “The Wedding Singer,” to propose to his now-fiancé, Lissy Alden, 37.
The Unlikely Meeting at a Shabbat Dinner
The spark was ignited at a Shabbat dinner early last year, where fate brought together Riber and Alden, owner of MYNDY, a mental and organizational fitness provider. Their connection was palpable from the start, reminiscent of the most delightful meet-cutes in films. Sam recalls, “I almost didn’t go to that Shabbat dinner because I was tired, but my mom insisted. I’m so glad I went.” It seems that sometimes, the universe intervenes when you least expect it.
Crafting the Perfect Proposal
Nearly eight months into their relationship, Riber started to brainstorm an unforgettable proposal. While celebrating Alden’s birthday on a flight to Mexico, he sensed the opportunity to elevate their love story. The CEO knew they both cherished films, and he planned to recreate a beloved scene from “The Wedding Singer.” Under the noses of unsuspecting passengers, he managed to smuggle a prop guitar and devised a covert plan with the flight attendants—turning a mundane flight into a whimsical theatrical performance.
A Serenade in the Skies
Halfway through their journey from North Carolina to Mexico City on December 24th, Riber took to the aisle, guitar in hand. The moment was charged with anticipation as he serenaded Alden with “Grow Old With You,” the same song that played during the movie’s iconic proposal scene. The atmosphere was magical, echoing the spirit of holiday cheer mixed with the intoxicating thrill of love.
Alden’s reaction was pure and heartfelt. “Yes!” she exclaimed, looking surprised yet joyfully enthralled. “It was such a special moment,” Sam reflected, cherishing the memory of that flight. Each time he recounted it, one could see his eyes light up as if reliving the beautiful surprise.
An Ingenious Ruse
While Riber was a longtime fan of the film, Alden was blissfully unaware of the plan unfold. “Lissy had never seen it,” confided Riber. “I had to introduce it without giving anything away.” The casual movie night idea quickly blossomed into a thrilling mystery for her, and she ended up loving the film as much as he did. Their shared enjoyment of the song had become a cherished ritual — quoting lines and singing snippets — yet she remained oblivious to his grand design.
Support from the Sky Crew
Pulling off such an ambitious proposal would have been daunting without the incredible cooperation from the flight attendants. Riber expressed gratitude, especially for Teri Ramirez, who helped operate the PA system for the surprise. They created a code word—“juice”—which allowed him to know when to grab the hidden guitar. It was teamwork that brought magic into the skies.
A Birthday Surprise Transformed
Initially, Alden thought the excitement in the air revolved around her birthday celebrations. Little did she know, their imminent future was about to change permanently. “We had talked about a future, so it wasn’t completely out of the blue,” she recalled, but nothing could have prepared her for that moment of proposal. The blissful realization washed over her as he knelt down, joy spilling over in that beautiful cabin filled with holiday travelers.
As they reflected on that unforgettable moment thousands of feet above the Earth, Alden called it “a peak life moment.” Moments like these, crafted with care and love, etch themselves into our memories, creating a tapestry of storytelling that lasts a lifetime.
With a local business like MYNDY, focusing on mental fitness, and unforgettable film inspiration, this love story exemplifies how the extraordinary can unfold in the most unexpected of places, even at cruising altitude.
