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a8 local
Wednesday 27 January 2021

Aruba to me ……

ORANJESTAD — Aruba Today is blessed with
readers reaching out to us to share their love for
the island. Today however it is not only about
the love for Aruba but also about the love of two
beautiful people for each other. Tom Erb (24)
wrote to us: “We have been reading your paper
the entire time we have been here. We are from
Washington D.C. and have been in Aruba since
Januaty 20. I actually just proposed to my girl-
friend yesterday at Boca Catalina.”

Tom and his fiancée Polina Goncharova (24)
live in Washington, D.C. “I work on climate
change policy at the Center for Climate and
Energy Solutions and Polina is a special educa-
tion teacher in Washington, D.C. “ They met in
college at the Claremont Colleges in Clare-
mont, California. He graduated from Pomona
College in 2018 and Polina graduated from
Pitzer College in 2018.

The couple chose Aruba because of its impres- find a photographer – Sabine (@sabinegoeretz- knee proposing.” The couple enjoyed a won-
sive Covid-19 protocols that made them feel photography). Sabine then recommended derful picnic and took beautiful photographs.
safe when traveling and the kind and thought- Aimara Parra (@picnicsbyaimy) to help with a They were even greeted with cheers from some
ful people. “Of course, Aruba is also absolutely beautiful picnic set-up. Sabine and Aimy were nearby snorkelers! When they returned to Sun-
beautiful and we love the beaches, snorkeling both very helpful--they found a perfect location set Beach Studios, their room was decorated
with sea turtles, and perfect weather. My col- for me, gave me advice, and flawlessly execut- by the hotel team with hearts and other cute
league Stephanie Gagnon recommended that ed on the big day.” The day before the propos- decorations. “It was a perfect day and Aruba
we travel here and take advantage of the Wor- al, he told Polina that he had made a reserva- provided the perfect setting: warm weather, a
kation deals. Stephanie visits Aruba regularly.” tion at a fancy restaurant so she would dress up. beautiful beach, gorgeous wildlife, and plenty
“We then starting driving and a little before the of helpful and supportive people. I feel so lucky
The proposal beach at Boca Catalina, I told her to close her to have been able to propose to the love of my
Tom started planning the proposal when he was eyes. I then parked the car, walked her down life here in Aruba. We will never forget it.”
still in Washington, D.C. “One of the co-owners to the beach with her eyes closed, and when To finish the sentence ‘Aruba to me …’ was
of Aruba Sunset Beach Studios, Eve, helped me I told her to open her eyes I was already on a easy for Tom:

“Aruba to us is full of unconditional love!”

Would you also like to be featured in our
newspaper while vacationing on our One
Happy Island? It is easy.
Complete the sentence: Aruba to me is
……. Send your picture with text (includ-
ing your name and where you are from)
to: news@arubatoday.com and we will
publish your vacation memory. Isn’t that
a special way to keep your best moments
alive? Please do note: By submitting pho-
tos, text or any other materials, you give
permission to The Aruba Today Newspa-
per, Caribbean Speed Printers and any
of its affiliated companies to use said ma-
terials, as well as names, likeness, etc. for
promotional purposes without compen-
sation.
Last but not least: check out our website,
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you for supporting our free newspaper,
we strive to make you a happy reader
every day again.q