sweetheart.

He popped the question moments before they joined hands for their first bungee jump.

And as she exclaimed "yes'', love was truly in the air when the American couple took the plunge.

Amazed on-lookers at Dockyard then watched and clapped as the pair hugged and kissed suspended upside down.

It was the most dramatic way to learn the highs and lows of being engaged.

"It was the thrill of my life,'' said 30-year-old Mr. Schwering, who had slipped a ring on Miss Trish Schiller's finger before the jump.

"I wanted to do something different from the usual way of proposing, such as over dinner.

"It just came into my head to do this. Neither of us have been bungee jumping before.

"I thought it would be a way of making the moment really memorable, and it worked.'' Although, as a builder, he is used to heights, Mr. Schwering told how he shook like a leaf 140 feet up.

"I was nervous about making the jump -- but also about proposing.'' Asked what he would have done if his 31-year-old sweetheart had said "no'' he quipped: "I would have pushed her, and then come back down!'' "Fortunately, it all went as planned, and I was able to place the engagement ring on her before we jumped.'' Miss Schiller said she had been taken completely by surprise by the proposal.

"I had no idea, and I didn't know he had a ring on him. It was a shock,'' she said.

She added: "It was really scary up there. I don't think I would have jumped by myself.

"But I thought, what the hell, you only live once -- and die once! I would definitely do it again, even by myself now.'' Miss Schiller said on-lookers below clapped enthusiastically as she and her fiance embraced, suspended by the elastic cord.

"They applauded as we bounced up and down afterwards. Everybody was extremely nice.'' She added: "People may say it wasn't a romantic way to get engaged, but I disagree. I think it was romantic because it was something really wild and crazy.'' The couple, who live just outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have set a date for tying the knot -- April 29, 1994.

And for their honeymoon they are planning on returning to Bermuda.

LOVERS' LEAP -- A high moment for sweethearts Thomas Schwering and Trish Schiller who became engaged yesterday -- over a bungee jump.