True love clicks

It started with a mouse click … not a kiss … when Cupid’s arrow struck the heart of photo studio general manager Rick Beeman.

He spotted an image of his sweetheart Jennifer Sloan on a computer screen for the first time and instantly knew ‘she was the one’.

And his online whirl-wind romance led to him falling on one knee and proposing to her in a crowded airport terminal as she flew into Bahrain for a Valentine’s rendezvous from the US.

Jennifer was struck dumb but nodded ‘yes’ in front of hundreds of cheering onlookers and Rick, 41, could not have been happier, saying:  “The airport was quite crowded and everyone started applauding. I wasn’t expecting that reaction because I wasn’t sure she would say, yes.”

Rick only met the love of his life on a dating website two months ago and the pair started emailing each other daily and talking face-to-face thanks to a web link-up. He explained: “It might seem crazy to the outside world but it is like we are matched spiritually, physically, emotionally, psychologically and intellectually – it was like she was made for me.

“For the last three years, everything has formed in my life perfectly. It was like God is totally directing my step. This is the last part of the fairy tale and now is the ‘happily ever after’ bit.”

Jennifer, 29, from North Carolina, said: “When I got out of the gate, I was frantically searching for him and when I finally saw him, I was speechless. I saw his face all lit up and he had a huge bouquet of my favourite flowers in his hand.”

Calling on his colleagues at KSDi, Rick arranged for a photographer and video cameraman to shoot the love episode so that they can treasure the memory forever.

“I noticed the photographers and I was like – Oh my God,” said the stunned statistician. “What are you doing?

“I got so excited and as I was walking towards him our gaze just locked and we didn’t stop looking at each other until he held my hand and asked me – ‘Jennifer, will you marry me!’ and I nodded, yes! I couldn’t talk I was so overwhelmed.”

To add a regional touch, Rick, who has been living in the kingdom for 18 months, chose a dazzling gold engagement ring featuring Bahraini pearls for his beloved.

The couple plan to get married soon. They are looking for a suitable location. Jennifer will be returning to the States at the end of this month to make arrangements for their future together as man and wife.