FORT MYERS BEACH, Florida (WFTX) \u2014 Ten years ago Dr. Amy Hilde-Philips made a promise to one of her patients. It was kind of an unusual request, but something she took seriously.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople ask me, like, what is making you go?\u201d Hilde-Philips told FOX 4 on Saturday. \u201cAnd I\u2019m like, I made a promise to a very special man.\u201d\\<\/p>\n
On Saturday, Philips went parasailing with 90-year-old Arnold Lokken on Fort Myers Beach to celebrate his birthday. This has become something of a tradition for Lokken, who everybody calls \u2018Sonny,\u2019<\/p>\n
The U.S. Navy veteran first went parasailing with his granddaughter in Hawaii more than ten years ago. Then they did it again for his 80th birthday in Clearwater.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt my age, if they\u2019re still alive, they\u2019re sittin\u2019 in a La-Z-Boy rockin. What fun is that?\u201d Sonny told FOX 4. \u201cThey need to get out here and get up in the air.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 90-year-old has a zest for life, Hilde-Philips said, that keeps him young at heart. Despite vision challenges, Sonny still drives a four-wheeler almost everyday.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has a positive attitude and he takes care of himself,\u201d Hilde-Philips said. \u201cThat make a huge difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sonny returned the compliment, calling Hilde-Philips a \u201ctop-of-the line\u201d doctor who has consistently cared for him the last 20 years.<\/p>\n
Sonny last went parasailing ten years ago. His granddaughter suggested they do it again at 90.<\/p>\n
Of course, Sonny said yes. But on one condition.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe looked at me and said, if you get me to 90, you\u2019re coming with me,\u201d Hilde-Philips said.<\/p>\n
And on Saturday, she kept her word. Sonny\u2019s family arranged for Hilde-Philips to travel with them from Minnesota to Southwest Florida.<\/p>\n
Sonny trekked into the Gulf on Saturday with Hilde-Philips and his granddaughter, Kaylee. Paradise Parasail whisked them away on a boat before launching them high above the water. FOX 4 tagged along for the trip and mic\u2019d up Sonny as he cut through the bright blue sky.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf these things fail, we don\u2019t want to land on a shark,\u201d Sonny said in the air.<\/p>\n
Luckily, it was smooth sailing as the crew eventually reeled the trio back onto the boat. Sonny returned them to a heroes welcome on Fort Myers Beach. His family clapped and took photos as curious people stopped by and asked what happened.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve been talking about it, and thinking about it and planning it, and it was just fun that it got to happen,\u201d Kaylee said. \u201cJust super cool to celebrate this milestone for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sonny only had one complaint. He wished they were up in the air for a little longer.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo go sailing with Kaylee and Amy, what could be better than that?\u201d Sonny said. \u201cThere is nothing any better than that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Copyright 2025 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.<\/p>\n
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