I SAID YES!

 

11.01.2021

Well here it is, the first of many blogs on my journey from Miss to Mrs and I couldn’t think of a better way to document it than sharing it with all my fellow brides to be.

Firstly, a little bit about me to set the scene! (Promise, I won’t bore you).

I’m co-owner of Dotty, an absolute foodie, gin lover and a sucker for nature and long walks with my besties (besties/dogs – same difference). I absolutely love to travel and am happiest when I’m on holiday! Did I mention I’m just engaged?!

Doing what we love at Dotty means we hear the most amazing engagement stories and it really does make you go ‘Omg’. Having been with Josh since we were 15, I had long dreamt of a wedding and often wondered how he would propose! Everyone would presume he was going to do it on one of our holidays or when we went travelling around Australia – but he’s not one to be predictable, so I knew it wasn’t going to happen then! I always said he would do it on a low key dog walk, which would be perfect.

We were meant to be going to Jamaica on Boxing Day so everyone presumed it was going to happen there! Anyway, COVID got in the way (shock) and we ended up going to Keswick in the Lakes with our besties instead. I had absolutely no inclination that this would hold a very special place in my heart!

The walk we went on was amazing. It was called Catbells and is a gorgeous hike up to the top of a mountain with stunning panoramic views of Derwent Water Lake.

As we’ve been together just over 11 years now, there’s been plenty of times where we wind each other up re a proposal. Central Park is a good example – he got down on one knee, looked at me then proceeded to tie his shoe lace! Can you see what I’ve been dealing with here?

So it’s not hard to believe that I jokingly asked ‘Is the ring in your pocket?’ and laughed when we reached the top, an hour before he popped the question! Oops – I honestly did have no idea that it really was! Safe to say he brushed it off with such little care that I didn’t think twice about it.

We were constantly taking pictures on the way round so when he asked if we should have a picture at this viewpoint, I obviously just said ‘yeah!’ and proceeded to walk to this grass area overlooking the lake. He suggested the rest of us got some pics first as he wanted to get his hat out. After rummaging around in his rucksack for his ‘hat’ I still had absolutely NO CLUE and continued to take selfies with Kara. He eventually came over for the picture.  After a couple of snaps, he turned to me and said ‘I need to do something’ to which I replied with ‘give up now’ as I thought he was joking.

After years of winding each other up, I thought he was trying to be funny again. Only this time he wasn’t joking and I realised this when I saw him shaking and reaching for something in his pocket. Seconds later he was on one knee and asking me to marry him! I have never been so surprised and shocked in my entire life! Safe to say there were plenty of tears!

‘The most amazing moment that I will never forget’

I always say, (like a lot of brides) that I would 100% know if he was going to propose, as I know him too well. The best bit about it was that it was as much of a shock to me as it was for my best friend – who happened to get the most amazing candid photos, that I will be forever grateful for! (Even if they do ruin our Dotty Insta grid aesthetic with the green grass!! – sorry Shan) It was such a special moment and I could not have wished for a more perfect proposal.

The ring is everything and more, better than I could have chosen myself. I had never even shown him any pictures or described what I liked! So he did well! To add to that, he didn’t even receive any help as the only person who knew was my Dad (also made me cry finding this out!)

The ‘engagement bubble’ I had heard so much about, really is even more special than I ever imagined. I will never forget the walk back down from the mountain and trying to call all my family – my hands were so cold that I couldn’t feel them but I didn’t care! I didn’t stop shaking or smiling for hours. I even lost my appetite for the rest of the day (I mean, that never happens!)

It’s safe to say that my Pinterest board and wedding planning is in full swing and I’m so excited to be sharing it with you all.

(Anyone else start pinning the day after?!)

2020 was one hell of a year, but remember love is not cancelled. If you are feeling down about your wedding, whether it has been postponed or you are newly engaged and don’t even want to start the process, please take yourself back to when you got engaged and reminisce with your partner – it really is the most special memory that nobody can take away from you.

Love,

Beth

xxx