How fitting that Virgin’s ‘Summer of Love’ is upon us and pilot Mark ‘Nobby’ Simmons had an engagement on board one of our lovely balloons over Bath!
Happy couple Lee Hall, 35 and Carly Jenkins 25 from Hampshire, originally hooked up the 21st century way by meeting on match.com, going on their very first date in December 2009. Flying to celebrate Carly’s 25th birthday, the whole experience was a complete surprise and became a double celebration when nervous Lee popped the big question.
“I’ve always wanted to propose this way! I’ve wanted to fly on a balloon for years and I’ve always planned this would be the way once id met that special someone – it just so happened that Carly has always dreamed of flying in a hot air balloon too… so, with her 25th birthday looming (11th June day of the flight) i felt this would be my perfect opportunity to ask,” said Lee. “I was so nervous as everything was weather pending! It had been raining ALL week in Southampton and i had everything set for this one day, i wanted it to be a birthday that she'd always remember and i honestly couldn't have asked for a more perfect day! I was so happy when i found out the night before that the flight was a GO… I didn't sleep a wink!”Nodding and bursting into tears, Carly (of course) accepted the proposal in front of the beautiful sky high backdrop before floating into the distance together, how romantic! Mr and Mrs Hall to be have already planned to get hitched next year and said they would love to fly with us again.
“The flight was amazing; we both loved every minute of it. It was like you were floating on air, fantastic experience! Even now i can get over how peaceful and quiet it was. I don’t think any other form of flying comes close. I'd recommend it to everyone and we’d defiantly do it again! Thank you once again, from the very first phone call to organise the flight, Nobby’s piloting skills and to now you’ve all been brilliant, really helpful.”Thanks Lee, and CONGRATULATIONS from all of us here at Virgin Balloon Flights.
