What makes this story funny (and very uniquely “us”), is that earlier that day, he had put the ring box in the camera bag, so as not to create any bulges in his pockets, and I, not knowing this, had accidentally knocked the bag over and the ring had come loose in the box. So while he’s on one knee, frantically trying to put the ring back in its slot, I’m stalling for time, trying very hard not to look at what he’s doing and inanely looking at the photos he had just taken, knowing that a proposal was imminent, but not knowing why it was taking so long. Finally, after a few tense moments, he showed me the ring and asked, and I (cried and) accepted!

Thankfully, we managed to make it back home well before Hurricane Irene hit. Definitely an exciting weekend in more ways than one!

I also liked you on Facebook!

Little did I know, I would get an outpouring of responses. Most of them, the normal creep that hangs around your average dating site. But, there were a few stand-outs. Only one guy, though, that I gave my home phone number to and stayed up on the phone and internet until the wee hours of the morning. This became a pattern in the upcoming weeks.

Through conversation, we found that we enjoyed hearing one another’s philosophies… but I thought we weren’t so much compatible. At most, friends to talk hours with about nothing. However, when my guy asked me to visit him in Australia only a few weeks in, I felt compelled to go.

Early May, I had scrimped and saved a few pennies to buy my ticket and work at a youth hostel. I eagerly awaited the day that I would meet Prince Charming, but he called me one night and told me that he decided to go on business to Bali; that that he had been planning the trip the whole time, but decided not to say anything to me. My timing was flawed and he wasn’t planning to come back for a few months. I was crushed but continued to talk to him, because at this point, I felt myself falling for him very quickly. We continued our schedule of late night talks which made my fellow travelers sick of the lovebird song. Sure enough, a few weeks passed and he asked me to marry him and come to India. I thought, “where does the time go!”

The actual proposal was very anti-climatic. We were online chat one night and for the first time, I admited that I loved him. He took that as his cue and told me to get my ring finger sized. I was very gleeful and he told me to calm down, that he was a simple man. So, our engagement was a subdue one.

In the end, I am glad that I the planning happened like that. I feel somehow, that our relationship got stronger through that time. I’m sure that had we met in Australia, things would have worked out differently. I guess absence does make the heart grow fonder.

In early September, I went to India. This time, I had no money saved up, no back up plan and was scared of this flake. But, 2 hours late, he arrived at the airport to pick me up. We spent the next few weeks travelling. But came the day when he had to visit his home (his parents still know nothing of my existence) and I had to stay one long hard month at a shared house. When we reunited, our meeting was sweeter than ever. We stayed together 24/7 (much to my chagrin, ha).

On 1.11.11, we had the most horrible religious marriage imaginable. Us and 3 witnesses. We called the night before and found that there was an opening and took it for a hefty price. I was wearing everyday street clothes. The officiant kept answering his mobile, I had no idea what was going on as it was conducted in Hindi… not the dream wedding at all. After the ceremony was over, a beggar harassed us outside the temple. The courthouse ceremony a few days later was even worse because I was delirious from a parasite and can’t remember most of what happened that day or week for that matter.

I’m planning a real ceremony here where friends and family are invited, once my husband gets here (he has to stay in India until our immigration paper-work is done… 8 months as newlyweds apart!). I will wear a gown, his parents will be there and no mobile phones allowed. I want to remember that day instead.

I looked where my mom was pointing and agreed, that guy near the monument did look like Chris. He even had Chris’ jacket, one we bought together last year. Little clues added up and finally I realized, this was indeed Chris.

“Chris? What are you doing here? How did you get here? When did you get here?” I asked, some of the questions having obvious answers. It’s not like he drove across the Atlantic.

He hugged me, kissed me and just smiled. Chris then handed my mom his camera and told her to press the button to take photos. He hadn’t been in town long, he told me, and then he started, “You’re my best friend.”

I still had questions.

“Just, let me get this out,” he said, and for once I obliged. He reached into his pocket and grabbed a box.

“You’re my best friend, I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?” he said while down on one knee.

Of course, I accepted. Thankfully my mom took play-by-play photos so everyone can enjoy the moment as well. We all spent the evening celebrating. First was this amazing wine bar down this little alley which featured tasty European vino and yummy appetizers. Chris had found the place while killing time before I showed up. The wine probably didn’t help his nerves when I was 20 minutes late. To be fair, I did sent Michael a note about being late — that is who I thought I was meeting. The guys at the wine bar loved Chris’ plan and held seats for us. We started with champagne then went to a flight of reds. I’m such a fan of Spanish wine, so having some there was just the best start to a wonderful evening of wandering around the city.

After spending the night together, we went our separate ways for a bit. Mom and I finished our trip while Chris explored WWII sites in France. His photos are amazing.

That night, to celebrate New Years Eve, we went out for a meal at the Hallmark Hotel in Manchester (previously known as the Belfry Hotel). There were quite a number of guests, seated at tables and a stage at the top end, where the entertainment was taking place – being hosted by a man called Paul.

Whilst Bekki took a seat I ordered us some drinks, and spoke to a lady regarding ordering some champagne for later in the evening. I explained to her I was planning on asking my girlfriend to marry me, and that I wanted some champagne bringing over to the table when I did it. She agreed and we got talking, deciding that at 10pm I would ask her and shortly afterwards she would bring over the champagne, in a bucket with 2 glasses.

I disappeared a few times, to organise arrangements, and spoke to a manager about what I was planning later – and could it be arranged for them to put our song on (Bruno Mars – Just the way you are) when I proposed…….
He said he would speak to the entertainment man (Paul) and get back to me.

About an hour later, during a discrete moment Paul came to find me, and wished me look. He said that would be no problem, he would put the song on at 10pm –as requested, but also asked if I was prepared to do it on stage. I considered this, and agreed to it. We finalised the plans throughout the night, with Paul saying at 10 he would call Bekki up onto the stage then put our song on.

He would then pass me the microphone – put our song on – and I could ask her then.

The moment arrived; bang on 10pm Paul announced over the microphone that he needed a Bekki Mills to join him on stage. She looked round at me, a little surprised and I eventually managed to convince her to go up to find out what it was all about.

Paul had a conversation with her, with a few hundred people now sat watching and listening as they finished off their pudding and enjoyed a drink. He then said “I believe you like this song” and as promised Bruno Mars “Just the way you are” began playing – reverberating around the room.

Sensing my moment, I quickly made my way up on stage and Paul passed me the microphone. I had the ring in my pocket ready – and prepared myself to ask her.
Caught up in the moment though – on hearing our song – and being quite a good singer I couldn’t resist singing the words to her.

People began to listen, watching intently – whilst I prepared for the right time to propose. During the chorus I changed the words to “Bekki will you marry me?” which led to a huge cheer from the watching guests and Bekki looking on in shock wondering if she’d heard correctly.

At which point, I got down on one knee and repeated the question – getting the box containing the ring out of my pocket and displaying it to her. Thankfully with so many people looking on she said yes “and then pandemonium set in – with us being given a standing ovation – and then people rushing over to congratulate us.

Myself and Bekki had gone out for the night – everyone were strangers – and yet for the rest of the night it felt like we had known these well-wishers all our life – as they took it in turns to approach us and wish us all the best. Hugging, kissing and even cheering.

A special mention must go to one man who was out celebrating with his family – who I have not seen before or since. He congratulated us both – and insisted on buying us a bottle of champagne. I could hardly believe such a remarkable gesture from someone, who until 10 minutes earlier had been a complete stranger.

It took us around an hour to return to our table – as people were coming up to us both, congratulating us as if we were members of their own family. When we did finally return to the table the lady brought over the champagne as promised in the bucket with 2 glasses – but there were already 3 other bottles of champagne which had been bought by fellow guests to congratulate us.

Other than the man who I spoke to and thanked profusely, I still don’t know to this day who they were all off – but it was just an incredible moment in our lives – one that neither of us will ever forget.

I just hope our Wedding Day on May 26th is just as special, along with the rest of our lives together.

One night in July we were spending a quiet evening at home with Aaron’s cat, Alfador Giovanni, and our new kitten, Aurora. Aaron gave Aurora her first name when we got her in May, and he had been asking me for a couple months to give her a middle name. (What can I say, we’re a little strange.) I decided her middle name should be Italian like Alfie’s and hit up Google for some ideas. We settled on “Fiore.” I was standing at the sink in the kitchen when Aaron said, “What should her last name be? She could have yours.” I said, “No, let’s give her yours. She and Alfie are family now.” Last names don’t mean much to me, but they mean a lot to Aaron and I knew he would be happy with my decision.

When I turned around, Aaron had a funny look on his face. I can only describe it as verklempt. I picked up Aurora and walked over to him, and while we were snuggling her he said, “I think we should get married.” I smiled and said, “Okay,” thinking he meant someday as usual when he referenced the M-word.

But then he said, “So, what if I knelt down, like this” – he got down on one knee – “and asked you to marry me?”
I stared at him. “Is this hypothetical, or are you actually asking?”
“Actually asking,” he said.
I was so unprepared, so surprised. I said, “Then I actually say yes,” and we kissed. Then commenced making googly eyes at each other for the next couple weeks.

There was no fancy dinner, no flash mob, no camera. No planning and no ring, either. Just us in our kitchen, with our cats. And it was perfect.

Sterling asked me if I remember saying that it takes 2 years to get to know someone. I said I remembered, and he agreed he felt the same way. He said that since it had been 2 years, and he had known since the first night. He even told his mom the next day that he had met the woman he was going to marry. As he pulled out the ring, he said he knew he wanted me to be his wife. I was just shocked, even giggling, since I was thinking that all of the people who were in the Chapel with us had no idea that he was proposing to me. Sterling asked if I would say yes, and I said yes We hugged and kissed for a quick moment, and then we left so the people in the Chapel could start their Mass.