The proposal
We went to Vancouver for our first holiday together that was longer than four days. It was also Rob's longest holiday since he was 11, and the furthest west he had ever travelled. Cath's cousin Wendy was getting married, and it seemed like a good excuse to visit Canada. In addition to plenty of sightseeing (and shopping) we helped with the preparations and attended the wedding. Our anniversary dinner, and the proposal, took place on the day after the wedding, and the day before we were due to fly home. This meant that Rob had to endure seven full days of teasing, asking when he would buckle down and ask the question, all the while anticipating the moment when he would actually do so...!
Although no-one was surprised when Rob and Cath became engaged, everyone was surprised by the fact that Rob had actually planned the proposal, to the extent of buying the ring, wrapping it and smuggling it into the suitcase that Cath had already packed! For the record, Cath was delighted by the choice of ring, and couldn't stop looking at it for the best part of a week. She can still be found watching the way that light bounces off the pretty stones...
The First Week
We arrived back from Canada on Tuesday, visiting Rob's Mum en route to Yeovil. The news of our engagement reduced her to tears which we have taken to be a good sign. Arriving home, Rob finally visited Cath's Dad to ask for her hand in marriage. Although he initially said 'No' Rob assumed that to be in jest, and did manage to convince him, mostly with the promise of beer!
Wednesday we visited the jewellers. The Store Manager identified the ring size Cath really needed, and searched the national store database only to find that such a ring was not available, and that the style was not adjustable. As a last minute gesture, she checked the store window, and found that the perfect ring was actually sitting there, waiting to be taken home.
As Cath had two more days holiday to take before returning to work, she decided to start The Great Dress Hunt, having heard rumours that this was something that may take some time...
Thursday she spent three hours trying on what felt to be hundreds of different styles, fabrics and colours. Friday started in much the same way, but ended after just the one hour, when it was found - The Dress. Now you will have to wait till September 2007 to see how it looks...