Couple Gets Engaged at Airport Where They First Met in a Proposal Straight Out of a Rom-Com

It sounds like a scene straight out of a romantic film.

A couple recently got engaged at the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) — the very place where their love story began.

The airport shared a video on social media recounting how Matthew Brenner and Lesley Venella first met.

According to PHL, their story began in February 2023 when Brenner spotted Venella taking a photo in front of the airport’s “Welcome to Philadelphia” sign after his flight from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Brenner offered to take her photo, and that moment changed everything. The two exchanged numbers and started a long-distance relationship.

In a bold move, Brenner “packed a single checked bag, sold his karate school and moved over 1,000 miles to build a life with Lesley.”

More than two years later, he proposed in the exact spot where they first met — even covering the welcome sign so it read “Will you marry me?”

The couple’s parents joined them for the special moment, along with “over 100 strangers” who gathered to watch the proposal unfold.

“Congratulations, Matthew and Lesley. You met as strangers in our terminal and now you’re building a life together. We are truly honored that PHL was the starting point for your love story,” the airport wrote in its video post.

Speaking with WPHL, Venella recalled that first encounter: “We were waiting for our respective rides to come and get us from the airport, so we were kind of up against the clock. We exchanged numbers, and then I was only scheduled to be in for the weekend. But I told him that I would cancel my flight to return to Florida on Monday if he would take me out the following day.”

Brenner admitted he initially thought it would be “a fun, like, little fling” due to the distance — she lived in Florida, he was in Philadelphia — but his feelings quickly deepened.

“As things grew, I was like, ‘Oh, wait, this person’s actually amazing.’ There’s no better feeling than finding someone so incredible that you’re willing to pack up your bags, move, and really uproot your whole life,” he said.

When the proposal came, Brenner didn’t expect the outpouring of support from bystanders. At baggage claim, he noticed “this thunderous roar” from the crowd, many holding up their phones. “These people actually got a better view than our families,” he joked.

The heartwarming story has since gone viral on social media, with people cheering on the newly engaged couple and even wishing for their own airport romance. “How special is this?!! He gets extra points for being kind and sentimental! Congratulations to both of you,” one person wrote.

Another joked, “Why can’t this happen to me? I work in the airport.”

A third commenter summed it up simply: “Absolutely love this.”