It was the kind of marriage proposal that most women dream of, but often only happens in Hollywood movies.
Fortunately for Laurette Dreisbach, she didn’t have to imagine it or watch it unfold up on the silver screen.
She lived it.
One day back in February 1949, the 88-year-old Oxford resident was soaring through the wild blue yonder in an airplane with her boyfriend Thomas at the stick.
It was there in the cockpit that he reached over and handed her a letter.
But it was no ordinary letter, it was an eloquently-written, heartfelt marriage proposal (see below story).
‘Look now into my eyes and let your life be made my life . . .?
What else could she say, but yes.
They were married later that year and spent the next 57 years together making memories, building a family and deepening their love for each other through good times and bad times.
Laurette’s story is pure gold.
It was also the grand prize winner in a contest where senior citizens who have or had been married for at least 35 years were encouraged to commit their love stories to paper. The contest was sponsored by the Oxford-based Seniors Helping Seniors.
‘I was thrilled,? Laurette said.
‘I’m so proud,? said Laurette’s son, Eric Dreisbach, who lives in Hastings. ‘She’s always had a flare for language, speaking and writing. For her to call up and say that she was the winner wasn’t really a big surprise. We’re very proud and very honored.?
‘We read so many stores that were all incredible, but the story that Laurette submitted was absolutely touching. It was moving,? said Dawn Neely, director of client relations for Seniors Helping Seniors. ‘The proposal letter . . . put it over the top. It was amazing.?
‘I don’t think anybody else has ever had a proposal like that,? Laurette noted. ‘It was a love letter.?
Laurette was honored for winning the contest during a special reception held Feb. 19 at Independence Village of Waterstone on W. Market St., where she’s lived since 2010.
Unfortunately, Thomas, who owned the Dreisbach & Sons Cadillac dealership in Detroit for 36 years, passed away in February 2006 at the age of 81. The dealership had been sold to Don Massey in 1996.
Even though he’s gone, it was quite obvious judging by the smile on Dreisbach’s face and the sparkle in her eyes when she spoke of her late husband, that Thomas is still very much with her, dwelling in her mind and heart.
‘I had a fabulous husband,? she said. ‘He was a loving guy. He loved me so much. I just loved him every day until he died in my arms.?
Laurette described her husband as having ‘personality plus.?
‘He always had a joke. I was entertained all my life,? she said. ‘He always made people at home anywhere we went.?
Back in the day, Thomas was a dashing young pilot. During World War II, he flew rescue missions with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater.
Immediately following the war, he kept flying with the naval reserves and as a private pilot.
Laurette, who was a nurse at Henry Ford Hospital back then, met Thomas for the first time in 1947 at a party for the naval reservists held on Grosse Ile, which had a naval air station from 1927-69.
Even though Thomas wasn’t her date, Laurette took one look at him all dressed up in his navy uniform and she was hooked. He was, as Laurette put it, ‘Drop dead gorgeous.?
Laurette had difficulty concentrating on her date because all she could think about was Thomas sitting there across from her with his date.
Fortunately, fate intervened with the help of Laurette’s roommate, Mary.
Mary invited Thomas to have breakfast with her, her boyfriend and Laurette the next morning.
The rest is history.
Following their marriage, Laurette and Thomas went on to have eight children.
Over the years, the family grew to include 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
‘And they’re still popping,? Laurette said.
So, what’s the secret to staying happily married for 57 years?
‘Respect each other,? Laurette replied. ‘And don’t destroy the original love, the way you felt when you met.?
Eric said his mother and father’s relationship has served as an inspiration in his own marriage. He’s always ‘tried to emulate? their ‘mutual respect? when it comes to how he treats his wife of 27 years, Marie.
‘They’ve been a great example not only for their kids, but (for) all of our friends growing up,? he said.

Thomas Dreisbach’s 1949 marriage proposal to Laurette Dreisbach
Here we are together and alone. I will now have to confess that this flight is to be more than a routine trip. Yes, it is much more than a routine trip. Yes, it is much more . . .it is to be a symbolic way of expressing the richness of our future life together.
If you will look out the window, you will notice the water below and the clouds in the sky above. This is to remind you that my love for you is as deep and everlasting as the water below and as fresh and pure as the clouds in the sky above.
We have a full life ahead of us my Laurie, and I pledge myself to be kind, understanding and sincere with you always. Our love will grow and grow as we merge our minds and bodies into a fortress of married life, against which no attackers can penetrate.
It is only fitting that here in the heavens, alone together, close to God, that I ask you to marry me. You will always fly in that seat, with me, whenever I am winging my way to Kentucky, New York, or to that place from where no traveler returns.
Your parents know, so look now into my eyes and let your life be made my life.