In a heartwarming display of romance and corporate collaboration, a Middle Tennessee man’s dream proposal became a reality with the help of United Airlines, transforming an ordinary flight into an unforgettable moment of love.
On Friday, October 11, Jack Lorey, a vision technician from Middle Tennessee, boarded a one-way flight from Nashville International Airport (BNA) to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). But this was no ordinary trip. Unbeknownst to his girlfriend, Erica Bonilla, Lorey had orchestrated an elaborate proposal with the assistance of United Airlines, turning a routine flight into the first chapter of their new life together.
Rose-bearing passengers set the stage
As passengers disembarked from the flight, each carried a single rose. One by one, they presented their flowers to a surprised Bonilla, who was at the airport celebrating her birthday weekend. The gesture culminated in a breathtaking moment when Lorey, carrying the last rose, dropped to one knee on the tarmac. With a United plane as the backdrop and surrounded by moved travelers, he asked Bonilla to be his wife.
A love story born of chance and nurtured by air travel
The couple’s romance reads like a modern fairy tale. Lorey reminisced about their first encounter: “We saw each other from across the bar so I went and introduced myself. We stayed in loose contact for a long time until she flew to Nashville to visit me for the first time. We clicked right away and both knew this was special.”
Their connection kindled at a friend’s wedding in Florida, where Bonilla was vacationing with her family, blossomed into a relationship that spanned state lines. For over two years, the couple maintained a long-distance relationship, with Lorey based in Tennessee and Bonilla in Texas. Their commitment to each other was measured in frequent flyer miles as they alternated monthly visits between Nashville and Houston.
The choice of United Airlines for this grand gesture was no coincidence. Lorey explained the couple’s affinity for the airline:
“United has always been good to us and we were both familiar with the company. Erica’s Aunt worked for United and she has been very supportive of us, and I have flown United many times in the past.”
He further lauded the airline’s support during a personal hardship: “Not long after Erica and I started dating, I broke my ankle pretty badly and needed a couple of surgeries. I couldn’t put any weight at all on that leg for 6 or 7 months, and I didn’t know if traveling would be possible. United was extremely accommodating during that time and I was able to fly without a problem.”
A new chapter begins
Friday’s flight marked more than just a proposal; it symbolized the end of their long-distance journey. Lorey shared, “Friday’s flight was our last long-distance flight, the weekend marks the start of Erica moving to Tennessee with me, and on top of that, it’s Erica’s birthday weekend!”
The proposal’s success was a relief for Lorey, who admitted to being “a nervous wreck” leading up to the event. “I sent an email on a whim to United and to have gotten their help to make this proposal happen is so cool. I am beyond grateful,” he said.
This heartwarming story showcases how corporate entities like United Airlines can play a pivotal role in creating lasting memories for their customers. By going above and beyond their standard services, United has not only facilitated a beautiful moment but also fostered a sense of loyalty and goodwill.
As Lorey put it, “We already loved United, but helping me make this proposal special for Erica has built a lifelong loyalty in our family.”
In an era where air travel often makes headlines for less positive reasons, this tale of love and corporate kindness serves as a reminder of the human connections that air travel can facilitate and the joy it can bring when companies go the extra mile for their passengers.
As Jack and Erica embark on their new life together in Tennessee, their story will undoubtedly inspire others and stand as a testament to the power of love—and the occasional helping hand from an airline—to overcome distance and bring people together.
