Return Engagement Is a Fairy-Tale Beginning

The crowds murmured and gawked as the entourage passed by, sensing that something was afoot.

Who, exactly, was this tall, uniformed man and the glowing young woman walking beside him through the streets of Disneyland on Christmas Day, with television crews in close pursuit?

“Who is the prince?” a small boy wondered aloud.

No one seemed disappointed to learn that these were neither visiting royalty or Disney characters--but an U.S. Air Force officer in dress regalia who had secretly traveled 6,000 miles from South Korea to propose marriage in the shadow of the Sleeping Beauty Castle.

His girlfriend, Air Force Lt. Alisha Marquis, 22, didn’t know Capt. Jeffrey Stamp, 28, was even in the United States. She was brought to Disneyland unaware, all part of an elaborate plan coordinated by Stamp with help from Disneyland officials.

She said yes to his proposal, of course, in an encounter worthy of a Disney movie finale, and the two went riding in the Teacups with Mickey Mouse waving at them from the next cup.

It had been three months since the couple--who first met in New Orleans on Easter Day 1995--had seen each other, and Marquis had no idea Stamp had wangled a leave for the holidays.

Stamp enlisted a mutual friend, Jeanette Janousek, 22, of Simi Valley, into the plot by calling her at 6:30 a.m. from Korea. She agreed to make sure Marquis, who is stationed at Vandenburg Air Force Base, would be at Disneyland on Christmas Day.

Stamp also talked to Disneyland officials. They agreed to help out with the details and let the news media in on the surprise, all the while cautioning them against leaks.

So shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday, reporters and camera crews huddled around the Snow White Wishing Well next to the castle, the spot chosen for the encounter.

Stamp waited behind the scenes in a storage room, emerging briefly to tell reporters that he felt “eagerness, joy and stark raging terror” at the prospect of proposing marriage.

“I think it’s going to work out,” he added, looking solemn and formal in his blue dress uniform, a ceremonial saber at his side.

Outside the castle, Marquis had arrived, escorted by her friend who had invented fictitious acquaintances that she needed to meet at the wishing well.

Disney workers had roped off the path to the well, but they allowed Marquis through, excusing the television cameras by saying they were taping visitors making holiday wishes.

Then Marquis spotted Stamp and stood transfixed in sunglasses and jeans.

“Oh, my God. Jeffrey,” she said tearfully as he knelt before her, his own eyes overflowing.

“I’m sure you can guess why I’m here,” Stamp responded. He gave her a small box with a glimmering ring, and she kissed him.

As onlookers applauded, Mickey Mouse stepped forward and hugged Marquis.

Later, after several kisses, the couple held hands and answered reporters’ questions.

“I’m amazed. I love him so much,” Marquis said.

Just to make sure, a television reporter explained that he hadn’t heard her response to his proposal.

“Did you say ‘Yes?’ ” he asked.

“Yes, I did,” she said, and she and her fiance went off to ride the Disneyland carousel.