"Today's a big day for me. I'm bringing my girlfriend home to meet my parents for the first time. We've been together three years, and we're planning to get engaged right after the visit."
"Sharing this flight with all of you at thirty thousand feet feels like fate, so I'm hoping you'd be willing to give us your blessing. Would you?"
Every pair of eyes on the plane turned toward me and Amy.
No one hesitated. Applause broke out across the cabin, warm and generous.
"Congratulations! Wishing you two a lifetime of happiness!"
"You two are adorable together. Here's to forever!"
"Can't wait to hear about the wedding!"
Amy beamed through the chorus of well-wishes, her cheeks flushed a deep pink. She thanked each person she could, then tugged me back into my seat.
"Ernest, what's gotten into you today?" she whispered, half-laughing. "Since when are you this bold? You're embarrassing me."
I gripped her hand tight, my expression dead serious.
"I'm just terrified of losing you."
Now every single person on this plane was a witness.
I refused to believe anything could still go wrong.
Amy's face softened. She reached up and ran her fingers gently through my hair.