The pandemic spoiled their anniversary plans, until a flight crew came to the rescue

The COVID-19 pandemic ruined a Yukon couple's plans to renew their wedding vows aboard a Caribbean cruise early last month, but an Air Canada flight crew stepped in to give themthe surprise of a lifetime.

Sharon Shorty and Derek Yap celebratedtheir 15th anniversary this year. They had planned to havetheir cruise ship captain officiate as they renewed their vows.

But thepandemic put an end to that plan, as the cruise was cancelled.

Instead, Shorty and Yap decided to make the best of their spring holiday with a trip to Palm Springs, Calif., on March 15.

On the Air Canada flight down, Shorty told thestory to a flight attendant.

"I said, 'By the way, can any captain do weddings or vow renewals? Can a captain from this flight do that?'" Shorty recalled. "And she goes, 'Yes, he can.'"

The flight attendant then asked if Shorty wanted to renew her wedding vows. Shorty said yes. She saidit caught her and her husband off-guard.

About10 minutes later,the captaincame out to greet them.

"First he came out without his hat, and the flight attendant said, 'No, no, no, there is going to be pictures, captain you go back and put on your hat,'" Shorty said.

Shorty saideven though she and her husband have beentogether for 17 years, they were both really nervous.

She saidthere was a pillow for the rings. Apassenger sitting behind them volunteered to be the photographer.

"I was so surprised, happy and grateful at the same time," said Yap. "It was really heartwarming."

After the vows wereread, the couple wasshowered with airline gifts a bottle of champagne, fancy napkins, snacks and a card.

The couple says they'll never forget the thoughtfulness of the flight crew.

"It was just during the crisis, a moment of celebration,"said Shorty. "It brought tears to my eyes and maybe some other people."