A Pennsylvania CEO made his cinephile girlfriend’s dream come true with a surprise proposal on a flight, drawing inspiration from a beloved Hollywood movie. Sam Riber, 34, and his girlfriend, Lissy Alden, 37, were on their way to Mexico for her birthday when Riber planned an unforgettable surprise by recreating a scene from Adam Sandler’s 1998 film The Wedding Singer.
Riber had decided to propose back in October 2024, and he knew he wanted to capture the magic of the iconic scene where Sandler’s character serenades Drew Barrymore’s character with the song “Grow Old With You.” Riber, who runs a pain management business, secretly brought a ukulele onboard and worked with flight attendants to ensure the surprise went smoothly.
As they flew from North Carolina to Mexico City on Christmas Eve, Riber got up mid-flight, serenading Alden with the song, just as Robbie Hart does for Julia in the movie. After the performance, Riber proposed, and Alden joyfully said “Yes.” Riber expressed his delight, saying, “It was such a special moment. I almost couldn’t believe it all worked out.”
The couple had met months earlier, forming an instant connection, and after eight months, Riber began planning the proposal, incorporating their shared love for movies. They had often sung the song to each other, making it the perfect choice for their proposal.
Riber also thanked the flight attendants, especially Teri Ramirez, for helping pull off the perfect surprise with their teamwork and discreet assistance.
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