An engaging welcome

So, yes, the flight was pretty awful - the food was overcooked and chewy, the seats were pretty uncomfortable, and the hour stopover in Ireland turned out to be two.
What got me through the flight was knowing that I would see Michael, my boyfriend, once I landed. Being away from each other for 3 weeks was a challenge for us both, but now that my trip was coming to an end, I was happy that we rose to the challenge and survived. :)
I was supposed to land at 6:30 AM, but with the two hour stopover in Shannon, Ireland, and leaving late, we didn't land until 9:30. Well, you can imagine it wasn't fun for him to be waiting for 3 hours for me, but the longer the wait the bigger the buildup. I called him to tell him I landed, and that I was so excited to see him! I wanted to get out of that plane, go through customs, get my bags and run over to him - but of course, the plane took forever to empty, the line for customs was long, and the bags were slow to come out. I was getting impatient also! Finally I saw my second bag come out of the baggage chute - I called Mike to tell him that I had my bags and was coming out to see him. I was so excited that I didn't even notice that he was standing in front of the security gates. I shuffled over to him (I would have run over but I was carrying some heavy bags), gave him a huge hug, and we both started crying. Three weeks does that to a person... The next thing I notice is he's getting down on one knee - at this point I go numb and can hardly believe what I'm seeing - he then opens a box with a ring in it and asks me to marry him. I was so completely overjoyed! I said, "Yes, of course," and we hugged and cried some more. Everyone in the airport clapped and cheered. It was embarrassing but awesome! I tried imagining this moment but it never came close to the way it actually played out - It's just amazing. I highly recommend getting engaged. :)



I was so happy that I forgot about the ring - he helped put it on my finger, and it's just so beautiful.



Then he gave me a dozen roses, and his friend made hats for us. His said, "I just popped the question," and mine said, "I said yes!" On the back they both say, "Just Engaged." It's very silly and dorky, but cute. :)



Then he took me outside to a limo that was waiting for us, and told me he was taking me somewhere. I had no idea, but we were taken to a restaurant where he gathered both our families, and a few good friends. It was so nice for all my friends and family to get up so early on a Sunday morning to celebrate in our happiness. And the funny thing is, the restaurant we went to was Israeli! I just came from Israel and the first food I eat is at an Israeli restaurant. It's like they were helping me adjust back to NY.

I found out later how he came to be standing in front of the security gates at the airport - apparently, he walked through the gates, and the woman guard shook her head and pointed him back to where he was supposed to be, but he just took out the box and opened it to show the ring, and she said, "Oh! Go right ahead! Is the kid with the video camera with you as well?" Mike said yes, and she said, "You know you're not supposed to have video cameras in the airport - but I'll let it slide for you - just don't tell my boss." So, we got the whole thing on video tape! What a great memory to have.

So, my personal and religious growth Israel trip ended with a wonderful life-changing event. I wanted to go to Israel to grow both personally and religiously - and I will never forget my experience there. It helped me to grow in my connection to Judaism, but also to Michael - they say distance makes the heart grow fonder - and we are living proof that it's true.

I hope this post wasn't too mushy for you...

Thanks for reading my blog throughout my journey - although this journey (and blog) has come to a close, my life's journey (and blog) has not. I am planning on creating another blog soon, most likely on blogger, so keep an eye out on my facebook page for the new address. :)