The one where I receive a proposal of marriage

I received my first ever proposal when I was ten years old from a boy in my class called Richard Gibson. In our school we had these white plastic 30cm rulers that were ideal for passing messages on; you could write on the back with pencil and rub it out when you were done, then when you wanted to pass a note to someone it jut looked like you were helpfully passing them a ruler.

One day I had a ruler passed to me from Richard Gibson.

“Will you marry me?” it said in pencil on the back.

I wrote back. “Which school?” At ten, your choice of secondary school was a life defining thing.

“Stanchester,” he wrote back.

“Huish Episcopi,” I wrote back, “sorry.”

And that was that.

I then went through a bit of a dry spell proposal wise, a 27 year dry spell in fact, which was broken on my birthday in April this year when I received my second ever marriage proposal.

HOORAH!

This one was done out loud, rather than on the back of a ruler, and this time I wasn’t about to set off to secondary school and so I was able to say yes.

DOUBLE HOORAH!

I’m not going to tell a big long story about it, because it’s private and special and I want to keep it like that, but I will show off my beautiful ring, which I love because it makes me feel like a princess:

Engagement ring

Tada!!

Apparently I have started walking around with my hand held aloft, as though waiting for a kiss on the hand, just to make sure everybody sees it.

Some friends have seemed surprised.

“That’s great,” was the response at book group, conversation moving on for five minutes. “Hang on,” piped up one member, “does that mean you’re actually going to get married?!”

“Er yes,” I said, “isn’t that what it means?” A more appropriate level of excitement then ensued.

I can’t say I blame them for being surprised, getting married has never been high on my list of things to do, and yet it feels completely right and perfect.

And so there we are. I make no apologies for the fact that I will soon be introducing a ‘wedding’ category and boring you with cake and flower options, and no, I will not be changing the blog name, I have a brand here guys, come on.

Suffice to say that I am very happy and excited, and look forward to sharing my thoughts with you on all things marriage, like a proper grown up lady.

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39 Comments

    • Jo Middleton
      Author
      15 May, 2015 / 12:16 pm

      Thanks Claire :-)

  1. 15 May, 2015 / 12:22 pm

    Huge congratulations to you and what a stunning ring! Is getting married going on your things to do before 40 list? X

    • Jo Middleton
      Author
      15 May, 2015 / 12:24 pm

      It really should be shouldn’t it? Do you think it counts if I add it now?

      • Lucy
        15 May, 2015 / 1:06 pm

        SPELLING!!

        • Jo Middleton
          Author
          15 May, 2015 / 1:09 pm

          I don’t know WHAT you mean. *hastily edits spelling of counts*

  2. 15 May, 2015 / 12:22 pm

    Woo hoo! Congratulations! Such an exciting time :-) Love the ring xxx.

    • Jo Middleton
      Author
      15 May, 2015 / 12:24 pm

      Thank you! I love it too, I can’t stop looking at it!

  3. 15 May, 2015 / 12:34 pm

    Congratulations! I love the ring, it’s beautiful., I’m not surprised you can’t stop looking at it!

  4. 15 May, 2015 / 1:02 pm

    Whohooo huge congrats xx

  5. Lucy
    15 May, 2015 / 1:07 pm

    Congrats, I can’t WAIT to start wedding planning… :)

  6. 15 May, 2015 / 1:16 pm

    Awwww this makes me very very happy! We have had an amazing week here in Truro and this is another fab bit of news xx

  7. 15 May, 2015 / 1:36 pm

    Congratulations! That ring is gorgeous! Lucky you :) x

  8. 15 May, 2015 / 1:42 pm

    Congratulations. Great ring. If I were a woman and could wear such a thing, I’d hold it aloft too.

  9. 15 May, 2015 / 3:08 pm

    You are depriving me of vicarious pleasure and weeping by not sharing the tale of The Proposal. Yours, disappointed, me!

    PS: congratulations!
    PPS: pretty ring!

  10. 15 May, 2015 / 3:49 pm

    Aww huge congratulations lovely, what lovely needs. I’m so happy for you & that is a gorgeous ring x

  11. 15 May, 2015 / 6:40 pm

    Awh huge congratulations! Love, love, love that ring definitely a princess looking one!

  12. 15 May, 2015 / 8:28 pm

    Awww congratulations! What lovely news. Gorgeous ring :)

  13. Danielle Vedmore
    15 May, 2015 / 8:32 pm

    Congratulations!!! Beautiful ring!! xxx

  14. 15 May, 2015 / 11:50 pm

    The biggest congratulations!! Xx

  15. 16 May, 2015 / 11:39 am

    This is the best news ever! Massive congratulations … here’s to happy marriage x

  16. 17 May, 2015 / 12:00 pm

    Brilliant news and that ring is beautiful – show it off to your heart’s content! xx

  17. 17 May, 2015 / 11:22 pm

    Such a beautiful ring. Congratulations again! Talitha (4 next month) received her first proposal this past week from another 3yo. Her response was: “Oh, I don’t know.” Breaking hearts already.

  18. msedollyp
    18 May, 2015 / 12:14 pm

    congratulations!

  19. 20 May, 2015 / 9:53 am

    Wow congratulations! Love the ring and love that you kept the details to yourself -beautiful memories for just you and him.

  20. 21 May, 2015 / 5:53 am

    Many congrats Jo. Lovely news and a stunning ring xx

  21. Louise McNicol
    25 May, 2015 / 8:40 pm

    Congratulations, your ring is beautiful. Don’t worry I’m living proof you can be a married slummy Mummy! xx

  22. 9 July, 2015 / 8:53 pm

    Congratulations! Love your ring! All the best for the big day!

    • Jo Middleton
      Author
      13 July, 2015 / 9:51 am

      Thank you :-)

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