The proposal

"So, how did he ask?" is the question you will be asked over and over again, and you can guarantee that each and every time you will smile, and go all dreamy eyed  as the memory centre in your brain rewinds to one of the most important events of your life. You have a little nervous giggle as you edit out the 'unimportant' bits and when you are sure that you have a captive and tentative audience, you begin your story. One that you are only more than pleased to share over and over again.

So, here's my story...
It was coming up to our ten year anniversary (yes, it really had been that long!). I knew that he was never going to propose so there was only one solution- I had to ask him. I went to the jewellers, ordered a ring and was due to collect it on Saturday, the day before our anniversary. I had planned to cook a lovely romantic dinner for two and ask him. Don't know how but I was sure the words would just come to me.

It was the middle of winter and we would spend most evenings relaxing in front of our open fire. The excitement was bubbling inside me but I couldn't let anything on I still had four days to go and three before I could even pick up his ring. We sat by the fire and so he couldn't see the smile permenantly plastered to my face, I put my head on his lap, watching the flames dancing around. We sat in silence, disturbed only by the comforting crackling of wood as it heats and our own thoughts.

He took my hand and with it out of my sight began to very softly, stroke my fingers. Then something else happened..I felt him ...no! surely not?...In shock, excitement, I pulled my hand away so it was right in front of my eyes. I needed to see it to believe it. A ring! A proper- engagement ring! On THAT finger! My head jolted up from his lap and I turned to look at him. I couldn't speak, but didn't have to. He said "Bernie, I love you so much. Will you marry me?"

I couldn't believe this was happening. My heart was thumping. I had never thought in a million years... I was so, so shocked. I didn't know what to say, or do. It felt as though I was going to laugh and cry and leap in the air and shout at the top of my lungs YIPPPEEEE!!!! Before I knew it, my arms were round him in the tightest embrace and suddenly a little squeek "yes", got louder "yes", and more firm, "yes". And then, "of course I will".

And as my brain tries to catch up with my emotions that have just shot to Jupiter and back, he says "do you like it". The words took a few moments to register. I looked down at my hand. How funny it felt. To have a ring on THAT finger felt very unusual. Only jelly rings have had the courtesy before. But this was no jelly ring. This was the most gorgeously, absolutely, perfectly glistening diamond and best of all it was on MY finger. I was getting married. Woo hoo!

A few moments later...
Oh no~! Sudden realisation-what about his ring????????????
Well, I don't know how, but I said nothing till the Saturday when I collected his ring (I couldn't wait until our anniversary on the Sunday). I told him everything and I think we were both secretly glad that he got in there first.