Groveland Twp.-Alicia Rea thought her mother was getting married on Valentine’s Day, but the surprise was on her.
Rea is now planning her own wedding.
Marine Corporal John Sawicki flew across the country Feb. 14 on a one-day leave from Miramar, Calif. where he is stationed, in order to propose to Alicia in front of family? her dream engagement.
‘We’re all thrilled, she’s been with him through basic training, through everything,? said Darlene Sawicki, John’s mother.
John and Alicia, both 2011 Brandon High School graduates, began dating in the summer of 2012. Just a few weeks later he would leave for Marine boot camp. She would travel to Parris Island, S.C. in November to see him graduate, but then they would be separated again, with ever-increasing distance, first as he was stationed in Little Rock, Ark., then Miramar, Calif., and finally, the greatest distance of all when John deployed to Afghanistan for four months last year. He arrived back in the U.S. in November and was able to take a 2-week leave this past Christmas.
Just an hour before proposing on Saturday morning, while sitting at the Clarkston home of Alicia’s grandparents, Dan Bessey and Ocie Boch, John spoke of the difficulties he and Alicia have faced, spending more time apart than together.
‘I haven’t heard of a long-distance relationship that’s not hard on people,? he said. ‘It’s been a challenge, but made us stronger… The number one thing I love about Alicia is how caring she is? she’s been through my side through everything and I find that to be the most special thing about her. If she can stay by my side through boot camp, then California and Afghanistan… I don’t think there’s a lot of special people like that.?
Alicia lives with her grandparents, and Ocie notes, ‘She has a lot of days where she says, ‘I wish John was here. I need John.??
On a table nearby still sits a wilted bouquet of roses that John sent to Alicia when he was in Afghanistan. In less than 30 minutes, he will bring her a fresh bouquet, along with a necklace, and of course, the ring. He has been planning this day since the beginning of January, first asking permission from her mother, Kristie Ciavarella, then obsessing over finding the perfect ring, visiting the jewelry store multiple times. Kristie told him he could give Alicia a bread tie and she would say yes.
After securing leave, John arrived at Detroit Metro Airport before 7 a.m. Feb. 14 and after breakfast with his mom and brother, Alex, has come to ask Dan’s permission to marry his granddaughter.
‘As long as Alicia’s happy, that’s all I care about,? said Dan, who will walk his granddaughter down the aisle on her wedding day. ‘You never know what the answer will be from Alicia.?
John admits being nervous as he leaves Clarkston on snowy roads to stop at his mom’s house in Brandon Township to pick up the forgotten necklace, and then drive to Kristie’s home in Groveland Township where Alicia thinks her mother is about to wed Rick Soderberg in a very casual affair, including jeans for everyone.
Kristie keeps Alicia in a bedroom with her under the pretense of Rick not seeing her before the actual nuptials as John arrives with his mother and brother, as well as her grandparents. Already waiting in the kitchen area are Rick, and Alicia’s siblings, Austin Moore, and Tori Ciavarella.
Tori starts the music? Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud.? Kristie and Alicia come out of the bedroom, walk into the living area, and John appears from behind a corner where he was hiding. Alicia’s eyes widen and she raises her hands to a mouth that has fallen open in surprise. She begins to cry as they embrace and then gasps again as he drops to one knee and tells her she is the woman that he was fortunate to fall for, the one that pushed him to be a better man, the one with whom he has fallen deeply in love and wants to spend his life with.
‘Will you marry me?? he asks.
And of course, the answer is yes.
‘I’m in awe,? said Alicia after congratulations all around from her family and a champagne toast. ‘I’m so excited. I love how much he loves me. It’s a different kind of love than I’ve ever known. He’s my best friend and I can’t imagine not being with him.?
Soon they will be together all the time, emotionally and physically, with no distance to separate them.
The couple is making plans for this summer? the real wedding is on.
Video of the proposal can be viewed at The Citizen Newspaper Facebook page.