HOW THEY MET?
After a long week of work in the USA and a football weekend in Columbus, Mark boarded his Emirates flight back to Dubai just like all the others. Being exhausted he had some dinner and fell asleep. He woke up later and realized he hasn’t given the crew the chocolates he bought for them (as he does on all his flights) he walked to the back galley and handed the bag of M&M's to a crew member (Jani) and went back to sleep.
Later after waking up, he went to the bar lounge to relax and work on editing some pictures from his trip to kill some time. The beautiful girl behind the bar ask if he wanted something to drink, and after some persuasion, a bloody Mary was in his hands. It just so happened that it was the same beautiful girl he handed the chocolates to. Being the only two in the bar, they started to chat. Mark the American living in Dubai travelling a lot for work purposes, and Jani the South African from Cape Town spending her days and nights flying around the world. She sat down next to him and had the most incredible chat about absolutely everything. He knew by then there was something really special about her. She was perfect in every way.
Chatting about all his travels, Jani at this point asked Mark if he was interested in joining the Emirates Skywards (which is the Emirates frequent flyer loyalty program), something about Mark’s facial expression made her stop mid-sentence. She quickly got up and said “please excuse me for a second” and went towards the back (to check the passenger list) Mark knowing exactly what she’s doing showed up right behind her and said "have you found me yet?" Jani had a massive fright as she didn’t see him behind her and said “what are you doing?” Mark replied and said “The question is what are you doing”
They started laughing, Jani apologized for missing the fact that Mark is a Platinum Skywards member (part of Jani’s responsibility as the Cabin Supervisor includes welcoming back the Platinum Skywards members from a company’s point of view it’s quite an important aspect Jani somehow missed) Jani felt very embarrassed for missing this and continued to apologized. Mark being such a down to earth guy really did not care about this. They continued to laugh about it and Mark joking with Jani said “you should have seen your face…”
The chatting continued as the flight continued…
Towards the end of the flight, the crew became very busy and Jani disappeared… Sitting waiting for her to come back, as he really wanted to ask her out. Mark eventually got sent back to his seat for landing, extremely disappointed as he never had the chance to ask her for her number. Luckily at the last minute he realized she’ll be standing at the door for disembarkation. The only thing Mark could think of is to hand her a business card when disembarking the aircraft. Which he did and asked her to please text him (which she never even heard). They both went home and told their friends... Mark really wanted to see her again and was freaking out “what if she doesn’t text? I have to see this girl again. I would have to use all my resources to find this girl”… but thankfully her roommate/best friend persuaded her to message him! After an initial formal message thanking Mark for the chocolate, he quickly responded asking if they could please meet up for a drink. She said YES and the rest is history!
THE PROPOSAL
"SAL JY MET MY TROU?"
The most amazing Proposal ever: Mark managed to pull off the biggest and best surprise ever! Planned to the very last detail which even included excel spreadsheets…
HOW HE PULLED IT OFF
"When your boyfriend (now fiancé) leaves Dubai to go for work meetings in London and Amsterdam but somehow manages to fly to CAPE TOWN then to NAMIBIA to ask for your dad's permission... then does a full week of work in London and Amsterdam, drives another four hours to Frankfurt to meet you and then drives another hour to Heidelberg, Germany to propose! Without me knowing ANYTHING! Now that’s what I call planning and special skills! Must be the most travelled proposal ever!!!"
Once we arrived at Heidelberg, around 21:40 we went to the Castle up on the hill. Everything was covered in snow, breathtakingly beautiful and fairytale perfect. Walking around Jani started playing in the snow writing Mark little love notes in the snow (no SNOW in SA she was trigger happy) with NO IDEA what’s about to happen. Mark guided her towards the railing overlooking the Castle with the perfect view.
He started by saying… “You know that you the most important person in my life” (Jani still with no idea as he does frequently tell her this) He then continued by saying “and I never want to lose you” (Jani still NO IDEA and completely oblivious) Jani hugged him and said “Baby of course you will never lose me” Mark then… went on his knee and said “With your Dad’s permission and your Brothers permission” He pulled out the ring and said “SAL JY MET MY TROU” (Afrikaans for will you "WILL YOU MARRY ME?") She started crying, jumped on him, hugged him and didn’t want to let go. Mark said “..but you still have to say YES”
She said “YES, YES a million times over YES, I WILL MARRY YOU”
Most perfect and romantic proposal ever!! Jani “Not even in my dreams was this as perfect, I am the luckiest girl in the world”
A GLIMPSE OF OUR JOURNEY TOGETHER
What our family and friends say about us...
“Jani has a caring personality that always wants to nurture and care for everyone and wants the best for everyone. Mark is our dream son in-law that flew across the world to get our blessing. He makes our daughter incredibly happy” -Bride’s Mother
“Jani is liefdevol, het 'n caring personality. En sal enige iets doen v die vir wie sy lief is. Laat my baie aan ouma maxi dink met jou vreemde pille en sade en sap wat almal moet eet en drink v elke kwaal. Mark is liefdevol en sal jou altyd net die beste wil gee. Hy sal jou en jul kinders altyd op die hande dra. Hy maak tot tyd om my kids te help met n taak. Hy probeer om afr te praat omdat dit jou taal is en saam kan praat op ons family chat. Ek dink julle 2 is ‘n awesome couple and a match made in heaven. Julle is mekaar se soulmates en verdien net die beste”- Naudine aka Bride’s Sister
“Mark and Jani are exceptionally kind, caring and companionate. That’s why we love them, but they are also wildly fun and spontaneous, never a dull moment when they’re around! #powercouple”- Gerrit aka Bride’s Mate
“They traveled the world for and with each other just to realize in each different language they stay soulmates, best friends and love each other just the same if not more… Some people search their whole life to find what you two found in each other… unconditional love”- Sarah aka The Bride’s SISTER
“Mark and Jani, two romantic, caring, peas in one pod. A couple that has fun wherever they go together, true best friends and the perfect match… and the Groom? The man who will be there for you whatever you need. This super organized, generous, creative engineer has made my Dubai the fun and friendly place it now is. Bring on the wedding” -Leigh aka Groomsman
“the day I met Mark and saw you just being yourself with him I knew he was the one. Two peas in a pod”- Natasja aka Bride’s Sister in-law
“You are the most internationally traveled couple I know” -Brian Lancey aka the Groom’s friend
“Couldn’t wish for a better man for my baby sister” – Tienie aka Bride’s brother and Grooms wingman
"After years of traveling the lands of many continents and countries, Jani and Mark found their love while flying through the skies - a place with no boundaries." -Gail Heitz aka Groom's Mother
