So we are finally off to Spain! We had been planing this trip for almost two years! When we had first decided to go we joked about getting married in Europe just us, but again it took almost  two years after that joke to actually get there, because our trip kept getting postponed.  

     Almost a year before our trip Ka'ea had told me that his mother had wanted him to give me her engagement ring when he was ready to purpose. What a honor! I couldn't believe it! So when we officially booked our trip, and we were definately going, i figure he would do it at some point on our trip. No clue it would end up happening the way it did.

     So we're off! it started  off great! Other than being late to the airport ( always ) we were in the first class lounge having a celebratory drink to cheers the start of the amazing trip ahead.. We get settled in FIRST CLASS, had some champagne,an amazing dinner, dessert more champagne, I was blissful. The flight was at 8:30pm, so by the time dinner was over and that last class of champagne was sipped, we get all cozy, well, I get all cozy in PJs and slippers, yes they give you PJs and slippers in first class, crazy huh? Anyway, by this time its close to midnight, all the other passengers are past out sleeping, lights are off, I'm laying down in my own lil bed with my own headset on watching "Brave" on my own lil TV. But Ka'ea keeps taking walks up and down the airplane, he kept disappearing for ten, fifteen minutes at a time. He wouldn't sit down for more then 2 seconds! But I was happy and comfy and enjoying my movie, so I let him do his thing. Then out of no where he tosses me a "box" it was a gift! I thought that maybe it was a birthday gift since it was two days away, and it was kinda big for a ring box. So, I sit up and open it. I was so taken back by the ring staring at me I slammed the box shut! Lol! Then somehow Ka'ea was next to me saying all the right things, mushy mushy stuff, tears start to run down my face when he says the magical words. "Will you marry?" Of course I say yes,  he gives me a kiss, and he's up and disappears AGAIN! Where is he going ?!!! It's an airplane! So I'm sitting there, not really knowing what to do. Should I open it back up, or wait for him to come back? It felt like forever, so I decided to open it back up.  Its beautiful! I love it so much! I can't believe Kaea's mom allowed Kaea to give this to me, it's so special. So Ka'ea is still not back, what to do now? Should I put it on, or am I suppose to wait for him too? Ahhhhh! I don't know what to do! So I just put it on an admire it on my finger. I can't believe I'm engaged to Ka'ea Simeona, I'm a lucky girl. Finally he's back, he sits down next to me, and we are have sweet small talk. He told me train and was from his mom, and the diamond was from him. It was perfect.  The only thing was, we are on a plane, it's not like we can start making out, or go for a walk on the beach, we still have 7 hours left. We couldn't even make a big deal about it, because everybody is sleeping! So... I slowly put my headphones back on, and continue to watch Brave. And Ka'ea finally settles down, and relaxes. Poor guy. He had that ring for almost a year, but couldnt wait 7 more hours. 

      You can plan your whole life for this moment, how you'll say yes, what you'll do, but for some reason all that preparation deserts you when you need it! Lol, but I love our purposal story, it's perfect, and in the end I get to marry the man of my dreams, my best friend, and the love of my life. I'm a happy girl!

For those of you guys who are reading this and aren't married yet, you won't really understand this until you go through it yourself.  But, for those of you who are, I'm sure you'll be able to relate.  Let me just start off by saying, no matter how hard you plan something, rehears it over and over again in your head, nothing EVER goes like you think it will. 

 First off, like any good son would, I consult my mother on the topic of marriage.  She quickly makes it clear that her and my father would be more than proud to have a woman like Elaina join our family.  So much so in fact, that she offers up her own engagement ring for me to use.  Obviously this means the world to me, and also shows how important Elaina is to not only me, but my parents as well.  The next step on my agenda is getting permission from Elaina's mother.  But, with me having such busy schedule this task was next to impossible.  Thanksgiving 2011 we are all able to visit very close family friends in Ukiah, a small town in nothern California.  One quiet night during this trip I finally get my chance.  I approach mom first who instantly breaks out in tears and gives her blessings.  Next Elaina's sister comes out to see what all the commotion is about.  She too expresses her consent in the matter.  A very emotional night but definitely necessary. 

Now, with ring in hand, and permission granted, it's time to plan the perfect moment to "pop the question"..

Elaina and I, but mostly Elaina, had been planning a trip to Europe for her birthday in September 2012.  The planning had taken almost a year to put togther but with that came a lot of great ideas.  Maybe I can do it at a romantic candle lit dinner in London, England.  Or maybe I can do it at the famous Segrada Familia monument in Barcelona Spain.  Or better yet, maybe on an Island Tour boat ride along the coast of Ibiza, Spain.  All of which are GREAT ideas but, none of which are how it actually happened.  Again I would just like to reiterate that things never go as planned. 

Here's what ACTUALLY happend..

The day of our trip we are running late to the airport which is a pretty common thing for us to do.  I scramble around to make final preparations before we leave the country for 2 weeks.  Just before boarding we get a few minutes to relax in the First Class Lounge.  We endulge in a few glasses of champagne and things are finally starting to look up.  We board the plane and get settled in our first class seats, enjoy a few more glasses of champagne before take off.  This is where all rationale flies out the window and nerves start kicking in.  I struggle to enjoy our 4 course 5 star menu but find a way to chug a few more drinks.  Liquid Courage is a real thing!! LOL.  I guess after dinner, a few hours into the flight, the crew members expect all the passangers to fall asleep.  Not me, I was wide awake so anxious and nervous that I begin to pace down the cabin.  I go back and forth in my mind how to do it, when to do it, I keep trying to envision the perfect moment I had been planning for the last 6 months.  I am so overwhelmed with anxiety that I debate on calling the whole thing off and not going through with it.  I calm myself down and muster up what little courage I have and decide to do it right now.  No more waiting, "It's now or never.."  I kneel down next to Elaina, who is laying comfortably in her bed watching a movie.  I pull out a small box and present it to her.  From the look on her face I think she thinks its a birthday gift.  She opens the box.. and immediately slams it shut!! What?!?!? I figured she was ready for it to happen eventually but I know she wasn't prepared for it at that moment.  She instantly begins crying which I knew would happen but wasn't prepared for myself.  I begin professing my love for her and saying a bunch of "mushy" things to her which I definitely meant but refuse to recite at this time in order to retain what little dignity I have left after reading this.  They did include things like "I love you with all my heart and soul.." and "I want to spend the rest of my life with you.." At this point I am overcome with excitement and relief that I cannot sit still.  I get up and walk it off.  No other way to work out this excitement and calm down but to walk to the very back of the airplane and take a couple deep breaths.  Its at this point that reality kicks back in and I realize I just left my now fiance alone in her seat at the front of the plane.  oh boy!! I head back and sit back down.  We share a few well deserved kisses and order up another drink to "celebrate".  The only problem is we're stuck on this airplane for another 7 hours.  Now what do we do?? LOL.. try and fall asleep I guess.  Yeah like that's gonna happen.  LOL.. Obviously I didnt really take that into consideration. 

The rest is history..

If there is one point to take from this proposal story it's this.. Plan all you want.. Create as many perfect scenarios in your head as you can.. but when the time comes to actually make it happen.. either have a good back-up plan.. or just hope you can think quick on your feet, make it up as you go, and come as close to perfect as possible

-Kaea