by Cris Italia
His relationship with Aileen began almost 10 years ago. Two teenagers just looking to have fun at a New York City nightclub (now no longer in existence) met. She was from Yonkers and he was from Queens, and the chance that it would actually work was slim, but somehow -- and even they have a hard time explaining it -- the relationship has lasted.
This Valentine's Day, Joe and Aileen will be married. Again Joe has shown me why he is a god with women. He found the right one and never let go. In a time when the divorce rate is increasing each year, their relationship has been rock-steady. There is no doubt in my mind that these two will last forever. I come to this conclusion because they have been through and done everything.
Last spring, Joe knew it was time. He was ready, she was ready, and now he had to find a way to make it happen. They've always found ways to one-up each other when it comes to surprises, but Joe was sure this idea would top everything. Aileen always told him there was no way he could surprise her if and when he decided to ask her to marry him. But in keeping with the age-old knight-in-shining-armor theme, Joe saw no better way than to rent a knight suit in which to pop the big question.
On a hot day in April, Joe was dropped off on Hudson Street in downtown Manhattan, his heavy metal clanking, an engagement ring in his hand. Aileen has worked as a help-desk technician at Price, Waterhouse, Coopers Inc. for most of her career. Joe had warned management about what he planned to do, and they gave him the okay. Nobody had to tell them that this guy had to be madly in love to attempt a stunt like this.
With each noisy metallic stride, Joe was showered with his own perspiration. He never expected that walking in an armored suit would be so hard. He creaked through the doors and you can probably imagine the looks on faces as he clanked past each desk. From afar, Aileen noticed a shiny object in the shape of a human stomping its way toward her.
Creaking down to one knee, Joe extended his arm, lifted his visor, presented the ring and said those famous four words, "Will you marry me?" Aileen didn't know what to do first. There were so many emotions -- shock, tears of joy, complete happiness, to say nothing of the uncontrollable urge to laugh. It all came out together, and then she said yes.
Aileen knew right away that she wanted to be married on Valentine's Day. The holiday would no longer be known to her as the subject of endless commercials. It would mean so much more to both of them.
What I admire most about Joe and Aileen is that they never seem to fight. I've never seen a couple so consistently on the same wavelength as they have been. It seems as though each decision they make is mutual. Aileen knows what Joe is thinking and Joe knows what Aileen is thinking. And if there ever is a disagreement, they somehow always find a compromise.
If only we were all that lucky.
