Meeting JP was like something from a movie, all that was missing was the Top Gun anthem the day he walked into the hangar.
Having pursued the same career as aircraft maintenance engineers we were very likely to bump into one another at some point. I remember thinking how handsome he was the first time I saw him.
Jp and I ended up working for the same company and there were always hints and glimpses of something a bit more significant than a work relationship. One day I sat cross-legged on the floor as we were installing a floatation kit on a helicopter, he was on his back working with his head tilted forward. Seeing how uncomfortable he was I impulsively took my hand and gently pressed his head to rest on my leg. Soon after we were working on another aircraft together and like in any hangar we had music playing on a radio. He walked past me and without hesitation, grabbed me for a dance. There we were, full of oils and greases dancing next to a helicopter we would both work on. It was a moment I will treasure forever.
From that moment I knew that something incredibly beautiful was going to happen and I would be a fool not to tag along.
However as much as movies have happy endings (and ours surely do) they also have tremendous twists.
Our new love had sparked some concern and conflict in the company and we were both faced with the most difficult decision we have ever had to make. Nevertheless we made the brave choice; we chose love instead. A good job is hard to come by but a good man, even more so.
If I could go back, I wouldn't change a thing.
I could tell you about the beautiful sunset on a wine farm lawn that took my breath away (Top Gun fans all the way).
I could tell you how we had a wonderful picnic and then as we walked onto the floating deck on the Koi pond he told me to look into my champagne glass as he got down on one knee and asked me the biggest question with the most obvious answer. Needless to say it was spectacular and it definitely took my breath away.
However, when I looked into the glass I saw a ring that I've seen before.
Months prior to this moment, when we were faced with our tough decisions and criticism from all directions as colleagues, we got into the company car to go to the garage for lunch, still covered in oils and greases I went through our plastic bag to get my SteriStumpi when I spotted the little blue box. I was convinced it was a necklace or earrings, I was very wrong. In the silly little company car in front of the hangar of the job we would both leave for love, he chose me and I chose him.
He also promised to recreate the moment more ceremoniously, and so he did on November 25th 2023 on the Koi pond of the Cape Point Vineyards Estate.
