Those of you who read this will probably have already read my beloved Elizabeth's blog- this is my version. As a man, our stories always start far before women's versions of things. This is how it unraveled...
Back in the early hours of the 5th May 2008, I made the choice to call Mr Watkins and ask for his daughters hand in marriage- quite possibly the scariest phone call I've ever had to make. He was great about it and accepted. The first hurdle had been jumped. This phone call was made at about 2 in the morning and I was so excited that I didn't go to be until 4am... then was awake for a further hour. I knew that I was going to ask the one that I love to be my wife! The previous week I had ordered the ring that Liz and I had chosen together- everything was ready to go, whenever I chose.
Plans were put in place- now was the challenge of surprise. I announced to Liz that in the next week or so we'd be going on a special date- a rarity for our usual spontaneous/ laid back times we spend together. I took that week to fast and pray about the choice I'd made and got great confirmation from Him.
Collecting the ring turned out, thanks to my love, to be a nightmare! I had arranged with a co-worker and great friend from Church to take me into town to collect the ring on the lunch time of Monday 12th May. This was the exact time that Liz decided she wanted to go into town to do some shopping with her friend Anna. I was so mad that my unemployed girlfriend, who could go into town at any chosen time, chose the exact time that I needed her not to be there! A big bag from a jewelery shop is kind of a give away, so with great beads of sweat pouring down my face I headed towards the special shop for a special occasion. After what seemed like an age to complete the transaction I had the ring. It doesn't end there though! That evening Liz's Track Practice finished early and Liz asked to go straight to mine. Because I couldn't think up a good enough lie, I was forced to accept! So the race was on, I finished work at 5.30, she finished Track at 5.30! The same co-worker had agreed to rush me home- only to see her car parked as we came up my street. "No problem" I thought "I can sneak round the back and hide the bag in the garden for a bit!" No such luck. Liz had seen me coming and, most unusually, had opened the door for me before I got there, prompting me to sprint straight upstairs and hide the ring in my room! Nightmare.
In the days leading up to our Big Date, I dropped tiny hints at what we might be doing- being very careful not to lie about anything on the Thursday- carefully worded texts and emails were the order of the day.
On the day, Liz took me to the hospital for a shoulder check up, and I had written carefully worded instructions on a parchment of paper that detailed what kind of things we would be doing that evening without giving away the whole thing. The afternoon was booked off (unbeknown to Liz) which was a chance for me to calm my nerves, pray and get my look on. At 5.15 I picked Liz up, we went into London and got excited about where we were about to go! Disaster nearly struck when the train announcer told us that there were major delays. My major concern at that point was not missing our reservations, but the amount I needed to wee and the potential for a wet pair of jeans. When we reached our chosen destination (having properly disposed of our Starbucks cups) I had the most satisfying wee ever known to man, and felt a whole lot more relaxed!
The fun was just about to start...
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