A U.S. Navy sailor returned from an 11-month deployment off the coast of Syria, and as soon as he arrived at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport Monday night, his high school sweetheart was waiting to marry him.
According to the Associated Press, Dylan Ruffer had told his girlfriend Madison Meinhardt that he wanted to marry her the second he saw her upon his return, and she made that wish come true.
Meinhardt began making wedding preparations a few weeks ago, but what she thought would be just a "little wedding in the corner" turned out to be a large-scale ceremony, complete with a tulle-covered arch in front of the escalators, a reception in the baggage claim area and over 200 guests. "This is definitely more than we could have ever asked for," she said.
"A lot of people were absolutely stunned to see a wedding in the terminal," airport spokesman Brian Kulpin said. "It's not something you see in the airport every day."
KOLO TV reports that the Eldorado Hotel and Casino donated a wedding cake, limo and Honeymoon Suite for the couple. Other businesses from the area chipped in on the photographer, salon services for the bride, decorations, flowers and more to make the day really special for Meinhardt and Ruffer.
Ruffer was just grateful to see his love again. "Seeing her for the first time, it was amazing," he told reporters.
Image: YouTube screen shot