engage-ed!

taking a break in recounting the epic trip to nz - and all the hilarities that ensued on our extraordinary roadtrip to announce: we're engaged!

we had planned a stopover in hong kong for rest purposes, feeling that it would be good ease back in gradually to london-time. we stayed in the fabulous renaissance harbour view by marriott. it was superb and was one of those occasions when a good hotel with the extra amenities is absolutely worth it. we took full advantage of the swanky health club and biggest buffet breakfast either of us have ever seen. we were seriously in breakfast heaven.

but on to the important stuff right?

we decided to head up to the peak on our first day - as it was clear in hong kong - and that is rare! taking a cable car up the hill we emerged above the city and promptly felt that lunch was a necessity - bubba gump shrimp to the rescue! it was filled with paraphenalia from the movie and seriously had probably every kind of shrimp dish listed by bubba. we had a tower of onion rings and an assortment of shrimp (prawns for you brits!) - delish!

then we went upwards - i honestly believe that neither of us knew we'd be engaged by the time we got back down! we wandered around the viewing deck, looking excitedly at the view, getting a few pictures and enjoying the glorious sunshine. we also laughed at one of the tackiest tourist signs that read 'say i love you on the peak' covered in neon pink hearts and sparkles.

the view.

completely unaware.

about five minutes later i was joking around with le boy and said, 'you were supposed to say 'i love you' on the peak!' to which he replied, 'i think i can do one better,' and pulled out a box of chocolates - which i honestly wasn't all that keen on, given our enormous lunch not even 20 minutes prior. he encouraged me to open it and inside was a note that asked if i would marry him! i was uncharacteristically rendered speechless, i was completely surprised and a little stunned, not really expecting it to come so quickly after the trip to nz! and then i thought about it, did i want to marry this man? and everything in my heart and my mind said YES - so i found that word - and managed to get it out of my mouth.

on the back of the card was a 'filler' ring and a request for me to join le boy in ring shopping when we returned to london! here's a picture of us immediately after we were engaged - the older gentleman who took it wryly told le boy that he still had time to change his mind! ummm, i don't think so!

so happy!

we basked in the sun and the glow of our new relationship status for a bit longer and then shamelessly called my parents in canada - never mind that it was 2 am - and really they didn't care! we were all so excited! in a typical move for us, we decided to 'walk' down from the peak - while this was paved and a clear walking track, it was also STEEP! but what would our engagement be without a little endurance training thrown in for good measure? the trail handily deposited us at a bus stop for a bus that would travel directly to our hotel! we then called le boy's family to let them know our joyous news! and i exercised incredible restraint in waiting until 7am toronto time to call my sister. filling the waiting time with a little of this:

a.b.barton was of course asleep when i finally got her on the phone - never mind that she hung up on me twice before she actually answered the phone! and so i said that i was sitting in my hotel room looking out on victoria harbour, admiring the 'symphony of lights' show held nightly, and thinking of her. 'oh that's nice,' she says, 'can you call me later?' 'well, i could but i have a question i'd like to ask you first.' 'can you ask later.' 'ok, but i just wanted to know if you would be my maid of honour?' well that got her attention! and there was whisper screaming and great excitement and i believe she accepted my offer!

we spent the next few days tooling around hk, enjoying the nice weather and revelling in our engagement. on our last night there we were looking to go to a favourite store - shanghai tang - and happened to pass tiffany & co. le boy suggested we pop in, just for a look. well i found the ring i've always loved from there and it fit perfectly. but we decided to leave it as we had dinner reservations at one of the top restaurants in the city and needed to get ready. about 45 minutes later we were dropped off for dinner, outside tiffany - the restaurant was completely coincidentally above tiffany! le boy worked a bit of magic, asked for our reservation to be pushed by half an hour and said that he really thought we should go back a second time and look at that ring again - who was i to argue? and so, 30 minutes later we were walking out the door with a ring on my hand and grins the size of canada! the evening was made absolutely perfect by the restaurant opening the terrace for us to have privately! it was such a perfect way to end a perfect engagement weekend!

i am so looking forward to wedding planning and preparing for our marriage! it is such an absolute blessing to love and be loved by someone so amazing! we are so incredibly thankful to god for his grace and mercy in our lives, for drawing us to one another and for knitting our hearts together - we genuinely believe that only he could have written our love story!