(Click on the pics for larger versions)
I know it’s been ages but this post is worth waiting for.
Let me come out and say it: “Nathan and I are engaged!!”.
It’s been such an exciting 2 weeks and we’re both elated and on this natural high – I don’t think we’ve stopped smiling 🙂
This is how it all happened:
About 6 months ago, we booked for the Lionel Richie concert in the Hunter Valley. Finally, on 7 December, it was time to head for our weekend away. It was somewhat of a harrowing drive – potholes, mist and darkness but we found our way to Olive Grove Cottages. Of course, I cracked open the port as soon as we arrived – nothing but a bit of mulled wine to calm the nerves.
Our cottage was an upmarket self-catering place fully equipped and stocked with pristine kitchen appliances and lots of food.
The next morning, we had a leisurely brekkie and then took a drive to the Hunter Valley Gardens. We walked through the different themed gardens – Japanese, Italian, even nursery rhymes – and strayed into the orchards where we picked tiny apples and rock hard pears (and got completely muddy as a result).
We then stopped off at the local deli to get some goodies for our picnic.
Our next stop was Bimbadgen estate where the concert was going to be held. We arrived at about 3:30pm and waited in line until the gates
opened at 4pm. We rushed onto the huge lawn and settled our blanket down as close as we could get to the stage.
Looking around, we then noticed that a whole bunch of people that we know from Sydney had settled down next to us – this was going to be a good party!
We just started to relax, when Nath produced a pressie from his backpack of tricks. I opened it to find a gorgeous photo album. The album was a creative showcase of photos of all our adventures over the past 7 months. It was so beautifully done and I was in awe of how much fun we had had together.
All the while I was looking at it, I was thinking – “Wow, what a special 7-month anniversary present”.
When I got to the end of the album, there was an envelope. I opened it and there was a card. In the card, were the life-changing words: “Will you Marry Me?”
I don’t think I’ve ever been more surprised in my life. I totally didn’t expect this…which is amazing since I am such a mega-planner.
I had a quick hyper-ventilation session as I grabbed Nath and we walked a few metres away from our curious friends next to us. Nath topped off the romance by getting down on his knee and proposing.
What a surreal feeling but so magic and better than I could ever have dreamed. Of course, I said Yes!!!
We then returned to our picnic party to a flurry to congratulations, hugs and kisses. Apparently they had taken a quick peak at the card when we left so they knew all about our good news.
Nath then produced a bottle of (sweet-yum) champagne and we toasted our excitement. I was still trembling with surprise and it took a good few hours to absorb everything.
Vicki had a chat to the cameraman and we suddenly were making our debut appearance on the giant screens with the text “Congratulations Lisa and Nathan” typed under our grinning faces.
We went off for a couple of hours to make some phonecalls and share the excitement with our friends and family.
Lionel Richie was awesome but I guess even Marcia Hines seemed top class – in the ecstatic moods we were in.
The next morning we headed home early chattering about all our plans for our future.
What a magical weekend and the start of Chapter Two…..
Lemonade's Land 