A love story that has spanned states and skies found its perfect ending at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) on Friday night, thanks to a little help from United Airlines.
On Oct. 11, Jack Lorey, a vision technician, flew into IAH on a one-way ticket—not only to celebrate his girlfriend Erica Bonilla’s birthday but to propose to her in a unique setting.
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When Jack landed at IAH at 8 p.m. travelers onboard his flight each held a rose as they exited the plane. As Erica waited, passengers handed her roses one by one, with the final rose coming from Jack himself.
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Standing on the tarmac, Jack got down on one knee and asked Erica to marry him.
Surrounded by cheering travelers, the couple celebrated their engagement, marking the end of their long-distance relationship and the start of a new chapter. After two years of flying back and forth between Houston and Nashville, this flight was not just a proposal—it also marked Erica’s move to Tennessee to live with Jack.
Jack and Erica met in Florida in a chance encounter. Jack was attending a friend’s wedding, while Erica was on vacation with her family. Their connection began with a conversation in a bar and quickly blossomed into a special relationship. They spent the past two years making monthly trips between Nashville and Houston, with United Airlines becoming a symbol of their commitment.
“Travel is a huge part of our relationship—it’s what’s kept us together all this time,” said Jack. “Friday’s flight was our last long-distance flight, and this weekend marks the start of Erica moving to Tennessee with me, on top of it being her birthday weekend!”
The couple’s connection with the airline deepened over time, as Erica’s aunt worked for United, adding a personal connection.
“United has always been good to us, and helping me make this proposal special has definitely built a lifelong loyalty from our family,” Jack added.