So, I’m just going to cut to the chase and say that I knew he was going to propose and I knew exactly when. It all started when we were talking about marriage timelines and I straight up told him I didn’t want a diamond ring (I preferred gem stones) - clearly, our relationship doesn’t have much room for surprises 😂 And when he suggested we take a trip to the UK (London and Durham - the latter because he went to university there), I told him we could go ring shopping there. The thing is, Malaysia isn’t great when it comes to gem stone engagement rings - it’s all about diamonds and at really stupid prices. So, I was pretty stoked to look for one in the UK.
He then looked kinda sketchy and I quite bluntly said: “Why, aren’t you excited for the engagement?” He became a little shifty-eyed before blurting our sheepishly: “I was hoping we’d get the ring before our UK trip.” 👀 Long story short - he’s not great at keeping secrets and I soon figured out every single detail of his plan - INCLUDING his “secret” photographer whom is a very good friend of ours. He was debating whether to go in autumn or winter and since I knew it was a proposal trip, I requested for winter since I clearly… ahem… adore snow. The catch was that we were going in early December (9th - 16th). London first then off to Durham. He was fairly confident with regards to the snow as it would snow sometimes as early as November during his three-year stint there. It was still a bet - but one we were willing to take. I told him: No snow, no yes (playfully, of course).
Now, the entire time leading up to the trip - I wondered what my response would be. I was certainly not the type to break into tears ESPECIALLY since I knew of his plan from head-to-toe. All our friends (himself included) bet that I would say something snarky - ina jestful way, of course. I did too myself. UNTIL it struck me three weeks before the proposal: I’d propose right back. With a ring in tow.
Unfortunately, time was a little short and since the both of us loved the bespoke engagement ring I got from Taylor and Hart (in London via their online services) - I knew we would get him a proper one from them down the line. So I got in a cheap standin ring which wasn’t too shabby! Even came with a blue ring box! And everyone to whom I divulged the plan to decided it was genius and completely encapsulated our relationship.
Fast forward to 2 weeks before the trip, he was sweating bricks because not a drop of white stuff was to be seen or even forecasted in the UK. He even had his silly little snow dance he would perform every night 😂 He was so worried, he even asked: “What if it doesn’t snow?” To which I replied, “I guess you’ll just have to find out on the day then.” Pretty sure he was shitting bricks *cues evil laughter*
And then, a week before, A SUDDEN SNOWFLAKE SIGN!!! It kept moving between Thursday - Friday - Saturday. His snow dances began intensifying.
It even got to a point that I had to flat out ask him on Thursday (we were flying back on a Sunday) when he intended on asking and he said he would prefer Friday but at that point in time, it was forecasted to snow on Saturday. So, Saturday it was.
Then came Saturday and we went to the riverside for lunch (Durham is absolutely gorgeous by the way). Snow was expected to fall at 4pm but by then, it would be too dark to get proper shots (yes, I knew he had a photographer on standby as well). So, he told me, it’s okay, we can still take engagement shots in the snow 👉🏼👈🏻
We get the bill. His phone pings. I see the name flash across the screen. It’s our dear photographerfriend. At this point, I can’t stop laughing. I say, let’s talk a walk by the riverside. He says, let’s walk through town. I say the cafe leads right out to the riverside. He throws me a sheepish glance and repeats while looking me dead on in the eye: “Let’s walk through town. We can go to the riverside… ermm… later.” Wow. Very subtle this one. I can’t stop laughing because he is clearly buying time for our friend to set up.
We finally waddle to the spot. Our friend pops out from the bushes. He ACTUALLY ASKS OUR FRIEND WHERE WOULD BE A GOOD SPOT TO DO THIS. Me: “ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS?” Whilst clearly unable to contain myself at how comically wrong this is going - in the best way possible. Our friend points to the spot in front of him.
Weng (my fiancé) takes my hand and says: “Okay, here goes.” Gets down on one knee while I’m still laughing at the whole subtlety thing. He tells me later on he had a whole speech rehearsed but everything flew out the window because of his jitters. He’s already got one tear rolling down his cheek. Oh God, I think to myself - he’s gonna absolutely bawl when I give him my response. He tells me, “Li-Wei, you know I love you with all my heart. Will you marry me?”
I have to calm my laughter down. “So… you know I believe in equality, right? Now that you’ve asked me your question, I’ve got to ask you a question before I give you my answer.” A lady walks by just as I say it and cheekily quips, “Oo, I’d like to hear this question!” We both turn to look at her momentarily, laughing. She continues on her walk though, don’t worry. And when he turns back…
He gasps. Literally. Hand to mouth and the works. He starts bawling. I. MEAN. BAWLING. Gets up and hugs me. And the whole time I’m just laughing. I even have to cut through his crying to ask him for his answer and if it was a yes, he could put the ring on. He nods tearfully.
And that, my friends, is how I got engaged.
