Dave proposed on 9.07.09. He took me out for such a romantic day...
In the morning Dave picked me up and told me we were going out for the day. So, with no idea where we were going, he began to drive. I kept gazing over at the sat nav thinking, “where are we going that will take 11 minutes? What is going on?” We finally arrived at Sudeley Castle and my whole face lit up, I had wanted to go there for so long. We got out the car and I began to wonder why Dave looked like a pack horse with a rucksack on his back and a camera bag on his shoulder. He kindly paid as we entered the gardens at the front of the castle where Dave turned around and gave me a card. He informed me that I would be receiving eight of these throughout the day and I would have to get the answer correct on the card to be able to get the next one. I started panicking and wondered if I was being tested on school work or bible trivia. I soon opened the card to find that it was a question about our relationship (some of them were multiple choice). When I answered the question on the front he allowed me to open the card. Inside it was full of writing about the answer and how much he loved me. I was so amazed and happy, I love letters and romantic writing like that, and I couldn't believe he had done it for me.
We carried on with our day exploring the gardens and castle. I took so many photos, I was in my element. We were even chased by a peacock as we were walking through the bird sanctuary. As lunch time arrived I wondered what were we going to eat as earlier in the day I had questioned Dave if I had to bring anything but he informed me that everything was sorted. So, as tummies began to rumble Dave lead me to a patch of grass under a tree and laid down a rug. He then began unloading this massive rucksack that he had been carrying round all morning. I was shocked by how much he pulled out...seemed like a Mary Poppin’s bag as; cups, plates, strawberries, bubbles, drinks, sandwiches, chocolate, fruit, moose’s, all appeared on the rug. He hand-made me my favourite sandwiches and wrapped them up. He placed them on my lap and gave me such a cheeky smile. I was in awe by how much hard work and planning had gone in to the day. After we had eaten he handed me another question card, by this point I had received about four through the morning. It was another multiple choice but I was warned that some were coming up that didn’t have choices. We then started blowing bubbles and tried to take some photos. We were amused by how the wind was blowing so hard that we didn’t need to do anything. Not long later we packed up the picnic and continued with our day at Sudeley Castle, taking more photos...some silly and some serious, as we enjoyed each others company.
Half way through the afternoon we left Sudeley Castle and decided to go to Cleave Hill to fly our kites. We decided to go back to my house first to pick up a blanket to keep warm. When I walked through the door I found a card in the post...from Dave. I opened it up and on the front of it it read “Will you...” and inside “...spend the day with me?” My heart stopped for a moment thinking what is this but I should have guessed with Dave’s winding up nature that it would be a joke. So, we continued up Cleave Hill, now with my mind racing wondering what his intentions were for the day. Once again, I received another question card which didn’t have a multiple choice and said “When was the first time I said I love you?” I knew the answer straight away and actually felt quite chuffed with myself for knowing the date.
It was fun flying the kites as the wind came and went; making our kites impossible to fly successfully. We didn’t stay there for long and Dave informed me that he was taking me home to get dressed up and he would pick me up later. So off home we went and my mind couldn’t stop wondering what we were going to be doing next...the day was so exciting and so well planned.
It was 7pm when Dave rang on the door bell. I stepped out the door with one of my favourite dresses on and Dave was a gentleman and complimented me on my outfit. He gave away no clues for what we were doing as he drove me back to his flat. When he opened the door to his flat I began to smell something familiar...Chinese food. I stepped into the living room and was amazed to see the room laid out with blankets and cushions. The room was lit with candles and on the side there were tea light candles spelling out ‘Love D+E’. It was so beautiful and then he handed me some red roses. I couldn’t believe all the work he had done for it; especially as I considered myself the planner in the relationship. He continued to give me the question cards throughout the evening as we sat and ate our favourite Chinese meal. Afterwards, he guided me outside to look at the horizon; it was beautiful as the sun was setting behind the buildings. At this point Dave had disappeared and told me to stay out there. In confusion I did what he asked and wondered, yet again, what he was up to as suspicions entered my mind. Then Dave called my name as he walked onto the Balcony, he told me it was time to open the last question card. All Dave could do was smile which made me wonder if this was going to be the answer to this wonderful day. I pulled the card out the envelope and read the words, ‘Guess what...’ As I read it out loud Dave got down on one knee, pulled a rose from behind his back and told me how much he loved me and how he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me and wanted to serve me and have a Godly relationship...and then he said those amazing words...“Will you marry me and be my wife?”. At this point I was in floods of tears and jumped into his arms, all I could do was smile and giggle. I soon realised that I hadn’t actually answered him and said, “That’s a yes by the way”. He then pulled out a Haribo ring and placed it on my finger...I laughed so much and he explained how he was still waiting for the ring he had ordered and should get it next week. I was fine and thought it was an amazing idea!
You would think the story ends here...oh no. The next day I was at work and I had been texting Dave in the morning as we confirmed with each other who we had told. All of a sudden, when I was completely convinced he was at work, he walked through the door. I had one of those moments when you feel like you’re seeing things and can’t actually believe what is going on. He gracefully walked round to where I was standing and got on one knee...again! I started to think he either had amnesia or I had dreamed that he had proposed the night before. But he stopped my thought process as he pulled out the ring he didn’t think would be ready and asked me if I would be his wife again. I was so excited and so amazed that this had happened, and so was Dave. He didn’t expect the ring to be ready and was so excited when the store phoned him at work. He placed it on my finger and it fit perfectly!
I couldn’t have been more excited and amazed and in love. I was about to marry a man who I could see loved me so much...there was no hesitation in my answer!
