So, how did it happen?
Well, first Stu organised for me to have the day off from work on Friday, 17th June. Then he took a little time off from work one day to ask my dad. (Aww!)
So Friday comes along, and I find out from my beloved that I'm not going to work, but that I have to dress to impress. (First reaction - confusion, followed by a sneaking suspicion!).
We drove off to Melbourne, to our first stop, the NGV (the international exhibits). We took in the Egyptian relics, improbable 80s fashion, and antique European glassware. Quite luckily, there was also a temporary exhibit featuring Japanese woodblock art, which often told stories about the 'flower and willow world' (geisha society). I was tickled pink, as I am an avid fan of geisha (who, by the way, are NOT immoral ladies of the night, but are actually artists and dining companions. Their name says it all - gei = arts, sha = person. It was the American GIs who perpetuated the misunderstanding, as less favourable women enticed the soldiers by calling themselves geisha - how awful!). Anyways...
Next stop - the most divine dining I have ever experienced, at Grossi Florentino. I cannot gush enough about this beautiful restaurant! Thanks to my friends for their gift of The Age's Good Food Guide a while ago - Stu used it to find the most appropriate venue - with as many commendations as possible! We lunched in the upstairs 'mural room', at a generously sized table for two by the window. Every implement was polished to perfection, chandeliers weighed down the ceiling, and there was a waiter for every possible task. We were plied with too many different types of breads, butters and olives, before being treated to a complimentary entree.
After the remains of this course were swiftly removed, Stuart began talking about how good we are together...and my heart could have leapt out of my chest! Down on one knee beside the table, he produced a ring, and a proposal!
Of course I said yes!
While I swooned through the rest of our decadent meal, plus a complimentary dessert (they must have also been in a celebrating mood!), Stuart explained that this was only a temporary ring, and that the rest of the day would be dedicated to finding a permanent one. And it didn't take too long to find! After a few quick scans of what was available and where, we decided to pay a visit to the Australian Diamond Company (surely they know what they're doing!). The sales girl was so patient and helpful, and was eager to show me lots of styles. However, I knew the one as soon as I laid eyes on it, and now it is being custom made for me. I have to wait four weeks for the privilege, but it will be worth it for one that is perfect. They seemed quite surprised that we had become engaged that day, and helped us celebrate by giving us some of those cute piccolos of sparkling wine.
So at the moment I am becoming quite attached to my temporary ring, and will probably not want to take it off, I'm so sentimental!
Because we were such efficient diamond shoppers, we had a little extra time, so Stu took me to his work to show me off, and share the good news. Then off to our respective parents' houses, all of whom already knew of course, but the looks on our siblings' faces were priceless - they were probably more surprised than I was!
I had a hard time sleeping that night from excitement, but life has been dreamy since!
So Friday comes along, and I find out from my beloved that I'm not going to work, but that I have to dress to impress. (First reaction - confusion, followed by a sneaking suspicion!).
We drove off to Melbourne, to our first stop, the NGV (the international exhibits). We took in the Egyptian relics, improbable 80s fashion, and antique European glassware. Quite luckily, there was also a temporary exhibit featuring Japanese woodblock art, which often told stories about the 'flower and willow world' (geisha society). I was tickled pink, as I am an avid fan of geisha (who, by the way, are NOT immoral ladies of the night, but are actually artists and dining companions. Their name says it all - gei = arts, sha = person. It was the American GIs who perpetuated the misunderstanding, as less favourable women enticed the soldiers by calling themselves geisha - how awful!). Anyways...
Next stop - the most divine dining I have ever experienced, at Grossi Florentino. I cannot gush enough about this beautiful restaurant! Thanks to my friends for their gift of The Age's Good Food Guide a while ago - Stu used it to find the most appropriate venue - with as many commendations as possible! We lunched in the upstairs 'mural room', at a generously sized table for two by the window. Every implement was polished to perfection, chandeliers weighed down the ceiling, and there was a waiter for every possible task. We were plied with too many different types of breads, butters and olives, before being treated to a complimentary entree.
After the remains of this course were swiftly removed, Stuart began talking about how good we are together...and my heart could have leapt out of my chest! Down on one knee beside the table, he produced a ring, and a proposal!
Of course I said yes!
While I swooned through the rest of our decadent meal, plus a complimentary dessert (they must have also been in a celebrating mood!), Stuart explained that this was only a temporary ring, and that the rest of the day would be dedicated to finding a permanent one. And it didn't take too long to find! After a few quick scans of what was available and where, we decided to pay a visit to the Australian Diamond Company (surely they know what they're doing!). The sales girl was so patient and helpful, and was eager to show me lots of styles. However, I knew the one as soon as I laid eyes on it, and now it is being custom made for me. I have to wait four weeks for the privilege, but it will be worth it for one that is perfect. They seemed quite surprised that we had become engaged that day, and helped us celebrate by giving us some of those cute piccolos of sparkling wine.
So at the moment I am becoming quite attached to my temporary ring, and will probably not want to take it off, I'm so sentimental!
Because we were such efficient diamond shoppers, we had a little extra time, so Stu took me to his work to show me off, and share the good news. Then off to our respective parents' houses, all of whom already knew of course, but the looks on our siblings' faces were priceless - they were probably more surprised than I was!
I had a hard time sleeping that night from excitement, but life has been dreamy since!
posted by Janet at 2:10 pm
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