Big long mushy post!
Nick and I had planned on me applying for my Visa in May, and (upon approval), having me move to England in late June. However, when we heard that Elton John was performing in Scarborough (one of our favorite places), for the first time, a solo concert no less, we knew plans had to be changed!
I know postponing my visa application for a concert might seem a bit nuts to some, but Nick and I met on Elton's official website, he is our favorite performer, and although we've both seen him in concert numerous times, we had not seen him *together*. So, as we didn't think we'd be able to get all the visa app documents together in time, we decided I'd come here for another visit (6 weeks), see the concert, visit friends and spend more time together. Then I'd go back and apply for the visa.
I have to say the past week has been the most romantic of my life!
We spent 4 days in Scarborough. We stayed in a very lovely hotel across from Peasholm Park. The room was quite large and had a view of Scarborough Castle in the distance. We dined royally each night - four course meals and tea on the veranda, and drinks in the sun room/bar. We visited the Sea Life Centre again, did some shopping, played miniature golf, played in the arcades, rode the open air bus, took in the lovely scenery, walked in the park and generally had a very relaxing, romantic weekend.
The concert was on Sunday night. We were sat dead center, 7th row! Elton opened with "The One". I was in shock. I had never heard that song live before, it is Nick and my song, and for Elton to open with it at the first concert we saw together was just too much! My eyes filled up with tears. Nick took my hand and I leaned into him. I felt him fiddling with my finger. Elton sang, "In the instant that you love someone....". I looked down and Nick had slipped a beautiful diamond ring on my finger! I was absolutely stunned. He whispered (as much as one can whisper at a concert), “Will you marry me?”
Although we have considered ourselves “engaged” for about 2 years now, I was still fighting a nasty divorce settlement until April, and we just didn’t bother with formalities. We knew we wanted to be together and to get married. As we’re older and have both been married before, rings and proposals didn’t seem a big deal to either one of us. So, needless to say I was surprised and very happy.
My birthday was 4 days later. A dedication was read out for me on BBC Radio 2 in the morning. I received an enormous bouquet of flowers, was taken out to a café for tea and cake in the afternoon, to an amazing Indian restaurant in the evening and had an ice cream cake. He even told his friends about my birthday and I got several cards from them. (They are a classy bunch.)
I really shouldn’t have been surprised by any of it. Nick has always been very romantic thoughout the four years I’ve known him. Still, as I always tell him, he never ceases to amaze me!
All in all a wonderful week, especially for this middle-aged gal!
