Adam, 1st August 2021:

‘Was today the day I’d ask?’ I would ask myself most mornings. This morning was a definite, ‘most likely’! The ‘how’ I’d got figured but the where and then were still in flux. Would the weather be right? The amount of people? Would there be a place for the tripod? Ah!!

The first opportunity: Alnwick Castle. An awesome place we both enjoyed, but too public, too windy, too… military! So, no, not on the picnic bench overlooking the river and ‘Might Dubfest’ on the other bank.

On to Cragside, no pressure, but you look amazing in the photos – so I’m kind of gambling on you. Even the drive there was nice, with rollercoaster roads and awesome views, but Cragside itself – whew! If there was ever a place designed for us, we found it! Cool forest, and rocks, and buildings, and lake. The insane fireplace! This was the place… but, where, specifically? The main routes were far too public (though suitable in every other way). So, it would have to be off the beaten path – or perfectly timed.

It happened in the gardens, tripod on the edge of a fountain, only a few people around. Ideally, there would have been no people at all, but having watched a rowdy family of 9ish leave, the time was now. I managed to sneak the ringbox and poem from bag to pocket, press ‘record’… action!

You knew for sure on the second line, you’d guessed a short while before on the descent to the white pagoda. I tried to read it slowly, i’m not sure that was how it went. It was a surprisingly smooth transition from seat to knee, I don’t even remember getting the ring box out my pocket – it’s like it appeared there; willed by us both finally being where we wanted to be.

‘Will you marry me? Lots of nodding… then a ‘Yes’. Phew!

I hadn’t doubted the answer, but had doubted the reception of the question – in terms of timing, location etc. It was clear this was the best time and the best location, in part because of the question.

The question was never about weddings or rings or even far off memories yet to come. To me it was about us, now, how we have been and how I want us to continue for as long as forever is, whether that’s a week or a century. It was about saying I am happy with us, with you and long may that continue! I love you at Cragside and at home, and in Sainsbury’s and Tesco, too.

How I didn’t cry until we got back I don’t know. It was a good cry.

You are my Fiancee, in a non-possessive way. Can I still say that? Whatever the case, I possessed the story of Cragside. The fumbling in my coat pocket, forgetting I’m supposed to put the ring on, just about holding us up in the hugs. We both asked, we bot said yes.

Teamwork.

Aimee, 1st August 2021

After a lot of excitement at Hogwarts, we arrive at Cragside Manor. The tea rooms and house are in the middle of a beautiful, dense forest alongisde a lake and river. “So beautiful!”

After a snack at the tea room we walk up the hill to the house. “Stunning!”

We walk through a small courtyard to the opposite side of the house where the entrance is. “A beautiful Austrain styled manor.”

Seeing how beautiful it was made my heart flutter for a moment, “Would he ask me here? It is a perfect combination of the two of us; tree’s, National Trusts and Science!”

I look to Adam, he seems distracted looking around at the forest. Then I look around us… “Too many people, damn. This would have been so nice.”

I convince myself it isn’t happening today and we go in to explore the manor.

Once we had finished the tour and exit the house, Adam immediately darts right down an uneven stone brick staircase leading to some river bridges we spotted earlier, typical Adam adventure. We approach the bridge and the inner monologue starts again. “Could it be here? On the bridge? By the house?”

I look around again… “Damn, too busy again.”

By this point I’m 90% sure it’s not happening today, so I begin to relax. Adam spots a sign for the gardens, so naturally we follow it. At this point I am fully immersed, “It is so beautiful here”, the forest, the views, nothing thinking about what could be. We circle the gardens and pass a fountain and a beautiful white pavillion, surrounded by flowers. “So romantic, that would be a great spot,” but again, convinced it wasn’t happening, I pushed it out of my mind and continued to admire the garden. This was made easier by Adam walking straight past it, with no pause…

Up on the top tier of the gardens we sit on a little white bench. “Peaceful,” I thought. I notice Adam had gone quiet. “I hope he’s okay.” Before I can question it, Adam asks if I wanted to go take tripod pictures down by the fountain – our new way of taking nice pictures together. My stomach drops, “Could this be…?” But no, walking down again I convince myself, “It’s not happening, just calm…”

He sets up his phone and tripod, I give Mom a much overdue update now I finally have signal…

I hear him rustling in his bag and naively try to think nothing of it. He sits by me, messes with his watch and I smile to the camera as he puts one arm around me. Then he says, “Can I read something to you?”

“Um… okkkaaayyyy…”

My heart being to pound, “Oh god… could this… no, it won’t be, just, calm.”

“W.H. What is happening…” – “Oh my gosh, like our first date, and the first poem, okay just relax and listen.”

“I think you know… of course it had to be done this way…” – “Oh GOD! It is happening! Great, now I’m crying, he hasn’t even said it yet, stop crying, listen!”

“Only on question to ask, right?” – “This is it, here it comes.”

He slides down on to one knee, ever so smoothly, ring box open in hand, “Aimee Louise Lewis, will you marry me?”

I look at his face, full of smiles but nervous, “As if there’s a doubt!” I think.

My eyes filled with tears, I can’t even see the box or ring, it’s blurred out as if I’m under water! I realise then, I can’t get any words out. I want to scream, “YES, GOD, YES!” but all I can do is frantically nod my head and pray that’s enough of a sign for now. I manage to squeak out a ‘yes’ as I fall straight into him, arms around him and many tears.

“This is the best day of my life. Forever with my Best Friend.”

Adam, 1st August 2022:

Flashes of trees, flowers, gardens and a pavillion or pagoda or whatever the white thing was. So much pops into my head when I passively think of the proposal, let alone when I stop to focus on recalling it. When I do, I can instantly feel the excitement and nervousness all over again – the secrecy and the subtle (or not so subtle) staging. It’s like I’m sat there, fumbling with my coat pocket all over again. Happily I can look back on that apprehension and append to it the elation of the response – although, between the tears and breathlessness it felt like an age before actually hearing the ‘Yes’!

I think of Cragside and how no place, regardless of it’s beauty, adventure or experience, has since topped it’s memorability. I wish we could visit it every weekend – but there’s something about it seeming like this far-away place that makes it even more special.

Simultaenously, it feels like it happened only last month and yet as if we’ve always been engaged. I can still feel the shakiness in my voice as I read my poem, but can’t imagine Aimee without a sparkly, Sonny’s Jewellers’ ring on her finger.

There have been no moments of regret, nor have I felt like any place or time since ‘would have been better’. Cragside gardens, on the 1st August 2021 was the right place and time, and every day since I’ve known it was the right and only person, too.

Aimee, 1st August 2022:

It has been exactly 1 year since Adam asked you to marry him. Whenever you think about it you still get filled with the same excitement and butterflies as the day he asked. The more I look back to that day, the more I admire how perfect it was. The little trip to ‘Hogwarts’ followed by the place where it all happened: Cragside. Still to this day the destination feels like a dream. Tucked away surrounded by forest and lake, a little fairytalke.

I go over and over him asking me in my head. The beautiful gardens, the trickle of the fountain. So perfect. Feeling Adam’s (in hindsight) nervously fast heart beat through his chest. I will still never forget the ever so smooth slide from seat to knee, as if it had been rehearsed a million times. Suddenly, the world moving in slow motion and light speed all at the same time. WIshing I could freeze the moment but also speed it up so I could just scream ‘Yes’! Though I distinctly remember having no voice to say yes, due to the tears and just general overwhelm-ment! The most perfect day, most perfect person and the perfect question. All that’s left now is… well… forever!