A True Courtship Really Does Still Exist

The day started like any other – in the cold and dark, I made my way to work. At 8:30am I arrived and began answering the huge array of emails in front of me. My colleague Nic and I were in the middle of a chat when she received a phone call. Usually she would let it go to answerphone, but this time a look of “Oh I better get this” flitted across her face. I got back to work thinking nothing of it (except it must have been someone important!) She hung up and said, “pack up your laptop and follow me”. “What?” was my first response. “Just pack up your laptop, and anything else you may need, and follow me”. My stomach immediately did a flip thinking, boy, am I in trouble? Adrenaline quickly followed as I considered what the possibilities were. Nic led me to the carpark, where I quizzed her on what was happening. We must be doing some sort of team bonding day (though I was very confused as to why only Nic was in on it, but not I!).

45 minutes later, my dad pulled up and I wondered whether he was just up this way and happened to see us waiting. But when he told me to jump in more possibilities came to light. I figured straight away that my partner Matt was behind this as my dad is not one to plan a surprise...if it had been my birthday or some other significant day I may have believed it, but it was just another cold, slightly wet day. On the drive down my dad got the third degree of questioning as to what was happening. I said I was 90% sure my partner Matt was behind this but dad wouldn’t let anything slip. I was driven to Mercer and told that I was going for a sky dive! If I’d guessed anything up until this point it wasn’t that! While gearing up I continued to search the horizon for any sign of Matt or his car.

 I listened to the instructions on what to do when the plane door opens, then walked to the plane waiting on the runway. Five other jumpers came with us, and as I enjoyed the view they threw themselves out of the plane. We were told we needed to go higher, but the cloud cover and poor weather meant we’d have to land and try again in 20 minutes or so. I was disappointed but hoped the weather would clear up. Back on the runway I was unclipped from the skydive instructor and climbed out of the plane. At the end of the runway was Matt, waiting in a suit and bow tie. There he is! In front of him he had a small folded towel for the wet grass, so my suspicions were confirmed. My dad had waited for me while I was in the air, so he, plus the instructor escorted me down the runway. Reaching Matt we embraced before he told me to “stand back”. Suddenly a bit unsure of what to say, he got down on one knee and asked very simply “Will you marry me?” Fast becoming overwhelmed myself, I said the first thing that came to mind “of course!” I took off my gloves so he could slip the ring on, and dad and Andy (his best friend) went wild on their cameras.

After lots of hugs, photos and tears he led me around to a little marquee set up on the end of the runway where a table for two, complete with candles, flowers, a bottle of bubbly and morning tea was ready. He had been to ‘Element’, our favourite restaurant, to get them to cater for our romantic little picnic. We popped the bubbly (a bottle we’d been saving for a special occasion) and after a few more pics, sent dad and Andy back to the skydive base. Rather than dig into the delicious food though, we excitedly recounted the days’ events. What a dream! It was so lovely sitting there on the runway after just spontaneously flying up in a plane and coming back down to earth. My hunger of an hour ago had completely disappeared as adrenaline pulsed through my veins. The hot coffee went down a treat though as it was a pretty cold day! After 30 minutes we packed up the picnic and jumped in dad’s car. We poured more bubbly and ate crème brulee on our way to Matt’s parents’ place to break the exciting news. On our way Matt decided it would be a good idea to stop at Element to take the picnic basket back and let them know how it went. I was more interested in telling family first, so told him we could do that later. He wouldn’t be persuaded, saying it would just take a minute and they’d been so good with the catering and were so eager to find out how it went. OK, OK he was in charge of this day!  I followed him inside. It wasn’t until I opened the door that I found the big table set in the middle of the floor, filled all around with our parents and grandparents. The restaurant had been opened just for us! Our family were almost as surprised as I was and I’m not sure I actually announced our engagement or just held up my hand and engagement ring to show them, with tears coursing down my face. I was completely overwhelmed, it was so lovely to have all the family there and enjoying our special day with us. After many more tears, kisses and hugs I found my seat with a little present on it. The “How to Plan a Wedding for Dummies” book got a few laughs!

Before our meal was served Matt stood up to say a few words. He thanked everyone for coming, and thanked them for the support they’d given us. He also remembered his nana – who very sadly had died earlier that week (we had attended the funeral the day before). It brought fresh tears to my eyes to hear that during our last visit to see her, a week before she died, Matt had waited till we were leaving and said he would catch us up. The few minutes he’d spent with her were not to ask if she would like/mind a video being taken of her (sounded plausible to me), but instead he’d explained his intentions of today, to which she’d given her full blessing. It was a nice feeling to know she both knew and approved. So, with the full blessing of all our parents and grandparents the food was brought out – being carefully designed by Matt and the chef as dishes I enjoy, and to reiterate the values of the day. Families coming together.

After the three course meal, Matt suggested we move around the table to spend some time talking to those down the other side. It was all a ruse and while I was happily chatting away he brought out a huge map of the world with carefully placed photos of us in different countries. What a lovely thoughtful detail – it was during these travels that we came to be! Matt encouraged me to look closer and determine whether there was anything untoward. I carefully traced each picture to the country it was pinned to and no, everything seemed to be going to the right place. Encouraged to look further afield I suddenly noticed a much smaller pin covering an island in the South Pacific. We hadn’t travelled anywhere there together before... Out came yet another gift, tickets and brochures for Rarotonga! My jaw hit the ground and I became further speechless when I realised the tickets were for that night! Nothing after that