We had met on a blind date set up by a dating agency – something I had never thought I would do, but after moving to another part of the country and losing my big group of friends in the process, I decided I would at least improve my social circle if nothing else!
I met three men before Nigel, but I thought that his introduction letter was hilarious and his photo showed a cheeky smile. We met on 22 September 2001 (a week later than planned due to the petrol crisis) and spent the whole night talking so much that we didn’t even realise that the bar staff were waiting to lock up.
By Christmas I had moved in with him and I was already totally in love. From that point on I had decided that this was the one and there was no way I was going to let him get away – lucky for me he felt the same way too, although he wasn’t as verbal about it. I think I proposed to him about 20 times before he actually said the words to me on our first anniversary. He had taken me away for the weekend to a little village near Whitby where they film the TV series "Heartbeat," and that night he proposed! He didn’t go down on one knee because it was so chilly and we were snuggled up underneath the duvet after a lovely meal and plenty of wine.
I couldn’t wait to tell my family and rang them up immediately (Nigel had proposed at 12.01 am on 22 September) and woke everybody up. All I could hear was my mother screaming with delight after my dad had called her to the phone with the words, "It’s your engaged daughter on the phone for you!"
He gave me the lovely Mexican Fire Opal and Diamond cluster that I had seen in a jeweller’s window the JANUARY before! I couldn’t believe it! He had snuck back there a couple of days later to make sure that nobody else bought it and kept it hidden for months. He is the most thoughtful and loving man and I can’t wait to marry him. The wedding is planned for 27 June 2003 and Nigel’s cousin, who is a vicar, will be marrying us.
I can’t wait to be Mrs Jones!
