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A Trip with The Upper Class leads to an Engagement!

A Trip with The Upper Class leads to an Engagement!
Michael Tripicco and Liz Rogers Get Engaged after a trip with The Upper Class!

May 12, 2014

Michael Tripicco wasn’t planning on going to Maine, despite several invitations to join his cousins on the trip and all the good things he’d heard about The Upper Class. But for some reason, he changed his mind.

He describes what happened, “At the last minute, I called to book the trip, but it was sold out. I added my name to the waiting list, but didn’t expect I’d get to go. It would have been my first bus trip – I only considered going because my cousins were going, but when I called, it was too late.”

However, just a few days later, there was a last minute opening on the trip. Michael felt fortunate to get the last spot and was excited to go on a trip with his cousins. On the first day, they met a lot of fun people on the bus, including two women, one of which was Elizabeth Rogers.

Michael says “The five of us were kind of like a team throughout the trip, making the trip even better right from the start. Throughout the first day, the five of us shared meals, coffee and explored the sites together. We were all talking and having a great time.”

As much as the group had fun together, Michael was struck by another idea very early on. “We were all talking and having nice meals, just having a lot of fun. But already at that point, I knew Liz was the love of my life. I just knew. At the end of the trip, I asked if I could see her again, and thank goodness, she said yes. We’ve been together ever since. It was amazing – it really was a destiny type thing, especially since I almost didn’t make it on the trip!”

Michael had been married twice before, losing both of his wives to illness. Liz has never been married. Liz, originally from England, has always been a traveler and values her freedom. 

“I’ve always been very independent and loved to travel – on trips near and far. It is the best way to learn about the world, learn about yourself and to meet great people.  I’ve been very lucky and was very happy with my friends and my life.  I had been traveling on several trips with The Upper Class, going with my friends and meeting new ones. I certainly wasn’t looking for a relationship. But when I met Michael, he was just so compatible and a perfect match. I think if I searched the whole world over I could never find anyone like this.”

Liz and Michael have been together ever since that trip to Maine. Recently, Michael proposed and they are now engaged to be married.  According to Michael, “We’ve been a team ever since and that trip was the event of my life. I’m 75 years old and have been married twice, and lost both wives. Even so, I’ve never had anybody that I clicked with so immediately.”

“The Upper Class brought us together.  It was meant to be when the spot opened up on that first trip. I wasn’t looking for anyone until I found her. And then my whole life changed. I will always be thankful for that. And, now, we go on trips as a couple, so The Upper Class is helping to keep us together since we do fun things and share fun experiences.”

Liz believes one of the things that makes their relationship so strong is that they do things together, but also maintain separate interests. “Michael and I do most things together, but we also do things separately. I still go on many trips with my friends.  I am so happy to have found Michael, but you still need your girlfriends!”

Liz continued, “I think it is important to keep close with your girlfriends. I have a very nice group, some of them I’ve known for years and some I’ve met more recently on trips with The Upper Class. When we get The Upper Class catalog, we all talk over email to choose the trips that we’ll do together. We always ask to have the back seat on the bus so we can sit together and talk during the trip. It’s great fun.

“Where else can you get somebody to do the driving for you and make all the plans?  It just makes everything so easy and convenient.  All we have to do is relax and enjoy. I have traveled extensively throughout my life and never thought that I would be one to take a local bus trip. Until I actually took one, I didn’t realize how great they really are! The Upper Class has truly broadened my horizons. I’ve met so many wonderful people including their tour guides. Going on trips with friends keeps us young and having fun together. And going on trips with Michael makes us stronger as a couple.”

Michael proposed Christmas Eve 2013, two years after meeting on that fateful trip to Maine. The proposal was a complete surprise for Liz. She was so caught off guard that she made Michael wait three days before answering. “I just didn’t know what to say. I was so stunned and overwhelmed. It is a big decision, especially after a lifetime of being on my own. That night, I accepted his proposal temporarily and then the day after Christmas I said yes, yes, yes!”

Michael was so thrilled with her answer that he gratefully agreed to propose again so she could officially accept. This time, when he got down on one knee, there was no delay, Elizabeth responded immediately!  Michael then called Liz’s older brother to ask for her hand in marriage. “I was a little nervous to make the phone call,” Michael said. “But her brother was so great, yelling congratulations and laughing on the phone. I felt so good knowing that her family accepted me and blessed us being together. My children were also thrilled. They understand that their father is truly happy.”

As Michael says, “You just never know what can happen if you’re open to it. Recently, somebody asked us why we go on bus trips. I explained that I don’t have to do the driving, somebody else makes the plans and there’s no hassle. The bottom line is, we like going on bus trips with The Upper Class because we get to meet good people and have everything done for us. And of course, most importantly, it’s where I met the love of my life.”