The best night of my life

Incase you all didn't know....

I would firstly like to start by thanking everyone for the congratulations and kind messages! They won't go forgotten. Those who shared my celebration with me mean a lot more than they will ever know. 

Some people may think this is a private part of a relationship but I've had so many people ask 'How did he pop the question?' & I would just LOVE to share it (as it was perfect). 

Back in September Paul and I decided to go away for our 3 year anniversary (8th December)- we chose the Hilton hotel, Deansgate Manchester as I have always wanted to go! 

In the meantime Paul suggested we went ring shopping. We had spoken about getting engaged and Paul wanted an idea on what ring I wanted. I always pictured a big diamond with a halo cluster and diamonds on the band too- but when I tried them on they didn't flatter me. 

We ended up in Judith Hart jewellers in Derby Intu Centre. The wonderful Rosie helped me pick some rings and explained diamond colour/ clarity to me. She knew exactly what I wanted and managed to find me the ring of my dreams. She measured my finger and wrote it all down for Paul. 

From that day a lot of my friends were convinced he was going to propose in Manchester. I really hoped so! 

I always said I would know if Paul was planning it (as he's like a kid when it comes to keeping secrets and surprises from me). Well he proved me wrong!

Two weeks before we were due to go to Manchester Paul told me he had upgraded us to a King Executive Suite! I was so excited! Once again my friends were convinced he was going to propose- I kept getting myself all excited and then had to slap myself to come back down to earth. 

Anyone who knows my gorgeous mother knows how rubbish she is at keeping secrets so I can't explain how many times I tried to crack her! Nothing! 

Friday 11th December we travelled down to Manchester- I felt so excited (and a little annoyed I had worked myself up thinking I was going to get engaged- if it hadn't of happened I would have been gutted and I would have only had myself to blame). We spent the day shopping and looking around the Christmas markets before going back to our hotel to sip champagne and relax in our robes. The view was beautiful as we were on the very top floor of the hotel! 

To start our evening we went to the Alchamist cocktail bar. If you haven't been you must go! The cocktails were amazing. We then went to dinner at The Grill which again I would highly recommend. 

We headed back to the hotel around 10.30pm to go to Cloud 23 cocktail bar but Paul insisted on going back to the room to 'freshen up'. I won't say what I thought he was going to do! 

Before opening the door he turned to me and said 'ready?' Which I think is hilarious looking back, it's like he was mentally preparing himself. 

He opened to door and I saw this....

I was that shocked I walked back out the room!! 

He told me to walk forward towards the love heart, he followed me, said some lovely words, GOT DOWN ON ONE KNEE, and asked me to marry him. I don't even remember saying yes! I was so overwhelmed. And it was THE ring, the one I fell in love with, the one he worked so hard for me to have. 

I cannot express how overwhelmed I was. 

The thought and planning that he had put into it was unreal. Those 'toilet trips' he kept having during the day were really times he could hand the rose petals and candles to the hotel, or to call them to check it was ready, or to hand over the drawing he drew which showed them exactly how he wanted the room to look. 

We celebrated by going to Cloud 23 cocktail bar where I made him tell me everything! 

Yes he asked my dad, and yes my mum knew! I'm still amazed she kept it from me. 

Paul had to make dodgy trips to asda car park to exchange the ring with my dad, and it made me cry when he told me my dad hugged him and welcomed him to the family! (Not that he wasn't part of our family before)

My mum had been with Paul to buy the ring. 

He had hid the box of candles and roses and my ring in the boot of his car on the way down to Manchester (of course he packed the boot with our bags so I didn't notice)

Paul told me he had to start arguments with me whenever I bought up the ring to try and throw me off! 

It truly was the most special night of my life. Paul is the other half to me and he would never stop short of making me happy. 

I'm still over using the word fiancé... And I still look down at my finger constantly and get butterflies. 

Wedding planning will commence in the new year. We already have ideas on the venue (we've known for ages) but we can't wait to explore and to enjoy the engaged life!

Again, thank you to everyone who congratulated us. We were overwhelmed with well wishes. 

Here's to our future! What a perfect way to finish 2015. 

AHHHHH IM ENGAGED!

Love always

missekwalkerx