Melissa of Auckland : It was the end of the semester for Dave who was at the time completing his last year of university and I thought "let's celebrate". We hadn't had much time to ourselves with Dave having had exams and major assignments due and I being a teacher writing school reports. Plus we had had Dave's brother Matt staying with us for two weeks in our tiny two bedroom apartment while he was on holiday. So on the afternoon of June 16th 2004 I text Dave and asked if he wanted to go out just the two of us and have a drink to celebrate his last exams. He didn't reply until he got home from his AUT placement as his phone had run out of charge, so I didn't get his reply until I had finished my soccer training at 8.15pm . After reading his text saying he was keen I hurried home to get changed. It was a relatively warm evening but he insisted he take his jacket in the car. ("Just in case") Dave suggested we should go down to Mission Bay for a drink, "since it was such a lovely night" so off we went. After sharing a slice of yummy chocolate cake and a latte Dave suggested we should go for a walk along the boardwalk/beach. But then Dave said he was cold so we went back to the car to get his jacket. (I told him don't be silly he won't need it) Along the boardwalk/beach we strolled hand in hand, enjoying the breeze and the smell of the seasalt. Once we got to end by the playground we turned around and slowly walked back. Just after the playground Dave stopped me and turned me around and gave me a passionate kiss and a hug. We stayed hugging for a couple of minutes then he released me and got down on one knee (all the while fumbling around in his jacket), I asked what he was doing (No I hadn't clicked at this time). He pulled out a little box and said some things (which I can't really remember, along the lines of (you are my best friend, soul mate, I am so in love with you.... will you marry me?) I was flabbergasted that it was actually happening and after realising that I was crying and still hadn't answered him I said "yes". I thought I was so perfect as we had, had our first date down at Mission Bay , then got engaged and now our wedding is at Mission Bay too!
Marissa of New Plymouth : It was my 30th birthday and I was 6 months pregnant with our son, Richard wanted to make my day as special as he could, but on a tight budget he couldn't afford much. He had bought me some beautiful scented candles which we so lovely, candles are always so romantic. I was over the moon with those and then he said he had another special gift for me, he ran off and came back with a little jewellery bag, I presumed it was a bracelet or necklace in it, but when he opened it and got down on one knee and asked me to marry him, that was the best birthday present anyone could of asked for. Almost 4 years on, we are still not married, due to financial difficulties, but fingers crossed this year is the one.
Emily of Christchurch : Peter took me to the top of the port hills overlooking Christchurch . We had a romantic picnic with some animals around us. It was our seventh year anniversary. We were just packing up our picnic and Peter got down and said” Will you marry me darling?'' I don’t think I said yes we both cried.
Stacey of Huntly: Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year and my family are very important to me. My partner, Darren, got down on one knee in front of my whole family (cousins, aunties & uncles included!!!) and proposed in front of the Christmas tree on Christmas morning after all the presents had been opened. He couldn't have done a better job if he tried!!! We are getting married this Easter - can't wait:)
Gemma of Hawera: Me and my partner did a tandem bungy jump and on the second down fall he yelled it out to me - I thought he said "my shoes falling off me" and panicked that he would fall out of the harness but heard him the second time - waited til we were on firm ground before answering him though! It was a very elastic ecstatic YES!
Alicia of Blenheim: Matt and I had decided that we both wanted to head for the next big stage in our relationship MARRIAGE., this was done very candidly and I didn't think that he took me seriously, so I did what every girl does, started fantasizing about wedding rings. Then one day out of the blue he asked if I wanted to go to Nelson for a getaway weekend, which I thought was a great chance to look for rings together and get my point across. We arrived in Nelson at this really fantastic apartment and headed out to do some shopping (I dragged him to so many different jewellery stores) and then went to the honest lawyer for dinner, where he PROPOSED.... I didn't even know he had a ring, apparently he bought the one I had been looking at for weeks without me realising. After a gob smacked dinner we headed back to the apartment where there was a bottle of champagne and roses on the bed. I thought it was so romantic of him to really surprise me like that :)
Lena & David of Palmerston North / Foxton: I was 8 months pregnant with our first child and David and I were in Hamilton visiting his family. His mum told us that Kirsty (his sister) was waiting for us at her place to take us out for dinner and to go round there at 5pm , Unbeknown to me everyone was in on a little secret, there was a surprise baby shower for me!! David knew and somehow he managed not to tell me (we tell each other EVERYTHING... usually!!) anyway we walk in and I see heaps of people in the living room and wonder what was going on, the next couple of hours was filled with games, food, fun and of course presents!! David decided to get up and say a Thank-You speech... with a twist. I was sitting on the couch listening to what he was saying and saying thank you as well , then he came over to me, got down on one knee and proposed!! I was so shocked I went bright red and pretty much went into shock, I don’t remember saying Yes but I did and here we are 8 months later and yet to start planning our wedding!! We have the most gorgeous little girl, Arna and we couldn’t be happier!!
Gillian of Wellington: My husband was in NZ and myself in England he made a ring from bone and then rung me the day it arrived, he asked me to marry him and told me to wear the ring (which was a perfect fit) then when I came to NZ he went on one knee and did it properly (with a real ring).
Ronnie of Pukekohe: To cut a long story short.... It took us a month to get together, thanx Rae! 3 days later for me to ask Dave to move in (never done that EVA!) 5weeks later after a busy night (my brothers birthday and a Rae's housewarming) got home and Dave proposed to me. Now Dave is what I could call the 'runaway fiancé'. His mates have said he would never propose (his previous fiancé’s have proposed to him), let alone get married. Well we ARE getting married on our 17th month together. I luv him SOOOOOO much!!!
Kate of Birmingham, UK: While we were traveling in China, we visited Beijing, which is home to the beautiful "Temple of Heaven". We'd planned to go here on a Wednesday but as everywhere was too busy on the Tuesday, we changed our plans and headed there instead. The grounds were absolutely beautiful and so peaceful...only spoilt by the number of tourists! I think half of China had decided to go there as well! As we were wandering along, snapping photos and dodging tourists, we came across a long bridge, which is named "The Sacred Way". This again was packed with tourists but this did not stop my boyfriend, Nick, from getting down on one knee, in front of everybody, and asking me to marry him! I was shocked! We had discussed marriage but I had no idea that he was going to ask me while we were traveling and of course, I said “Yes!” He told me he’d planned to ask me the following day but seeing as our plans had changed, he’d changed his plans as well! I’d wondered why he had been so quiet as we were looking around. Definitely a brilliant place to be asked, as I was in heaven afterwards! My own little Temple of Heaven!
Graeme of Alexandra: I did not propose the tradition way-"will you marry me". Instead I was staying at my friends place and casually suggested it the idea of marriage....The next day it was official and we were planning the wedding!!
Keryn of Palmerston North: he took me an amazing B&B in Wellington on the anniversary of our first kiss. The light house in Island Bay is a beautiful spot. After dinner which was magnificent he got down on one knee and had THE most gorgeous ring. He asked me to be his wife until the day he died!!!!!!
Karyn of Hamilton : It has just been over a year since Steve proposed, we were holidaying in Christchurch with friends when we were punting down the Avon River when he surprised me with a beautiful ring on board! And surprised two of our friends that were on board with us! He had hidden the ring for about six months and I had no idea whatsoever which made everything so much more special, we are getting married in December this year!
Wendy of Te Awamutu: We decided to drive the Whanga Coast Rd together as neither of us had travelled this famous rally stage. It wasn't the best of weather with showers throughout the day, but that wasn't going to stop us. I packed a picnic hamper complete with treats from Salvadors in TA (yum!). We drove via Raglan, past Manu and Whale Bays out onto the gravel Whanga Rd. Nigel had great fun driving the road while I admired the view. It really is spectacular out there. We stopped at the remote Ruapuke Beach to have our picnic lunch. It is really remote, a black sand beach with lots of crashing waves - not safe for swimming! There is a little stream that twists alongside the road as you go down to the beach before it breaks out across the rocks and across the sand to the sea. The proposal was really special and emotional for us both. We wrote our names in the sand and celebrated with champagne (but it was awful so we switched to sparkling grape juice!). We walked a bit and checked out the stream and the rocks. It was kind of surreal and neither of us wanted to leave, we could have stayed hand and hand looking out to sea forever.
Kim of Ngaruawahia: I was looking in some rubbish mail and saw a ring that really caught my eye. So I showed it to my (hubby) and he said we could go have a look at it. We went in looked at and then we bought it. A while later he said I think we should call it an engagement ring what do you think? So I got the perfect ring that I loved.
Megan of Invercargill: Our proposal took place on a gondola in Venice during our 6-week overseas holiday in November-December 2004. Unbeknown to me, Mike had selected a stunning diamond rock some months in advance, had taken out special insurance for it for the holiday, and had asked my Dad in person like a true gentleman. Mike had to go to some length to keep the surprise secret - this included twinking out the relevant clause about "the ring" from the insurance policy for our travel, in case I decided to read it, and he had to carry the ring on his person for the whole trip until he gave it to me as part of the policy.
The big moment came on a gondola ride in Venice when we had turned back at the half-way point. In a bit of a panic he asked "are we heading back now?" realising he only had half a trip to pop the question!! Moments later the question came, much to my shock and delight. My response "yes" (was there ever any doubt!!) was met with much relief and then out came the beautiful diamond ring. It was awesome. Friends from our travel tour group were on the gondola and suddenly realised what was happening and quickly started taking photos. We kept it a secret with those friends for the rest of our day trip in Venice and Mike made the big announcement that night to the rest of the 40-strong group - the reaction was amazing and we had a great party that night. Funnily enough, the owners of the restaurant we were at were celebrating their wedding anniversary that day and shouted us a gorgeous bottle of bubbly and shots during the night. It was a great time! All in all, an unforgettable proposal and I am indeed most lucky to have such a wonderful man! We have been going out for 6 years and have no date set for the wedding yet - sometime in 2006. Engagement party set for 5 February 2005!
Paula of Palmerston North: My hubby and I had been engaged
for 6 years and we had just got back from my sisters wedding. Driving home he said he loved the atmosphere of their wedding soo much he said "lets just get married ".we planned it for the next year. Everyone at our wedding had commented on how lovely it was and how loving our families were. I don’t know how long we would’ve been engaged if it wasn’t for my sister getting married!
Natalie: It was Valentines Day 2004, I knew we were going away for the weekend but of course still expected a little something in the morning as a gift. To my surprise there was nothing. We drove to our destination only to open the resort door to find a big bunch of red roses had been delivered. The day continued and that night we went out for a seafood dinner where he popped the question.
Tara of Auckland: For a Christmas experience, we decided to go skydiving - just as my boyfriend stepped out of the plane he screamed out "will you marry me?!!?" I was so shocked! The man I was jumping with held me back from falling out of the plane to say yes! Finally, after what seemed like forever, I finished my freefall and yelled yes down to him - but he wasn't completely sure until we got to the bottom as he couldn't really see or hear me :D
Caroline of Wellington: Sean proposed to me one winter Wednesday night. He said lets go around to Oriental Bay & get an ice-cream. I was already in my pj's sitting ready to watch Shortland Street, so I said no (at first). So off we went around Oriental Bay & parked the car, went to the diary & got an ice-cream. We walked for bit, then sat at the top of the Fishermans Table restaurant. The sea was so calm, really beautiful the way the lights reflected from it. Then Sean started to tell me how much he loved me & would never do anything to hurt me. I thought, oh no what's he going to say next, that he doesn't want to see me anymore. But anyway he got down on one knee, by this time I was crying. Then he said will you marry me, opened the box & I said I can't see it (because I had tears & my eyes were all blurry) he thought the diamond wasn't big enough. Well what a guy he choose the ring himself & got it right. He knows what I like.
Mell of Auckland: My partner and I took a long awaited holiday to Thailand at the beginning of last year. When we were in stunning Koh Samui one very warm evening we decided to go for a stroll along the beautiful soft sanded beaches as we walked, Kane mentioned he had written a poem for me, so he began to read to me his very touching and heart felt poem which to my delight included as he neared the end his marriage proposal. With the words will you be my wife still lingering like music to my ears the magic box appear and out came the most perfect ring I have ever sighted which to me just top of the most perfect proposal I could have asked for."
Matea of Christchurch: Not a proposal story yet, but am hopeful after 2 years together, flying cross country (He's Canadian & I'm a Kiwi) to meet his folks and we live alone together. I don't think its fair that I have to have a proposal story! Watch this space (But wish to enter anyway!!!)
Angela of Tokanui: My partner had two goes on proposing, but only succeeded in the second one. We were on holiday in Paihia and he tried to get me to go for a walk down on the beach, but I said that I could not be bothered. So after a romantic dinner, he had another go and asked me to marry him! My response of course was yes! It was really neat, looking over towards Russell and I could feel his heart beating so strong! It was a day I will never forget!
Lyndsay of Auckland: My Fiancé Reece and I were engaged on August 20 2004. We were supposed to have drinks with friends on the Friday night. I was surprised when he turned up very nicely dressed with a huge bouquet of flowers (which is VERY out of character for him) and I got a bit suspicious. He told me to give my cellphone to my friend at work and come with him. (He had roped two of my friends in at work to ensure they kept me there and I didn't go home). Parked out front was a huge beautiful black limousine! (I'd never been in one and he'd remembered I'd always wanted to). We got in and Reece had arranged a bottle of champagne and had our favourite Van Morrison CD playing. We drove through Parnell and along the waterfront. I had no idea where we were going! At the Viaduct, we turned into the Hilton!
Reece had arranged a special corner suite overlooking the harbour. In the room was another bottle of champagne and more flowers. We went out to the deck and he went down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I forgot to say yes because I was so excited. We were both giggling so much and drinking champagne. The ring is a beautiful princess cut diamond that we had chosen together the previous November. Just after he asked, the Ferry Building clock tower struck 6 - which he had timed and it was very special. We then went to his favourite restaurant in the viaduct, where the Maitre D' was his workmate's flatmate and was expecting us. The Maitre D' bought us special cocktails and chose our meals for the evening - but I could hardly eat and couldn't stop grinning!
The next morning, we had a late checkout. We had breakfast at the hotel and then the limo came and picked us up again! I had NO idea where we would be going this time - But as it drove around I realised we were heading back to our house. When we got there - a pergola had been set up out the back and about 30 of our friends were there to congratulate us. Reece had arranged a surprise party two weeks earlier without telling anyone what it was for - just what time they needed to be there. Some people had been let in on the secret to arrange the food, clean the house (!) and set up the pergola etc. We partied all night and even got some engagement presents from some friends who'd realised what he was up to! It was truly the most magical weekend of my life and I was just blown away by my wonderful man and how much he had done for me.
Samara of Christchurch: in a rose in blue ribbon was this lovely engagement ring in the fridge.
I saw it when I opened the fridge and he came in and proposed - of course I said YES!
Jade of Hastings: I proposed to my boyfriend after 2 weeks of dating, over dinner - pizza in his car after a night out. He said yes. It's 5 years on, we're still very happy together and we have a 3 year old daughter.
Sandy of Auckland : Well, John took me away for my birthday/5 year anniversary for 2 nights on Waiheke island, we stayed at the most beautiful apartments on Onetangi beach front, very romantic. Anyway we went to dinner at a little cafe/bar which was in walking distance, we had dinner drank lots, and on our stroll back it started to rain (good old Auckland weather) so we rain back to the motel and we were sopping wet so I got into my very attractive PJ's and got into bed as it was quite late and I was half sloshed and half tired so I was ready to go to bed, any way I was just drifting and john wouldn't stop talking to me then out of the blue he splurted out "will you marry me" and me thinking he was joking because he likes to joke a lot said "don’t joke" and he said "no I'm serious" so me being the baby that I am started to cry because I had waited for so long to hear those words, "say it again" I said, so he did and of course I said "YES" He put an old ring of mine on my wedding finger for the mean time which was so special, we went home the next day and asked my brother in-law to make my ring (he's a jeweler). I found out later on that John had planned that we walk along the beach at Onetangi on our way back from dinner to our apartment he would get down on one knee and ask me, but unfortunately because it had started to rain the planned flopped for him he got nervous, mind you he was acting rather funny during dinner. The way he proposed to me was so romantic and the environment was just perfect. I wouldn’t have asked for it any other way.
Peta of Waihi: We were living in Aussie and my fiancé took me it to a gift store (I was 8 mouths pregnant.) And told me to pick a ring so I did . It was $120 dollars he said “well if that’s the one you want”. So we got it and started to walk home. Then he turned to me and said "so you want to get married? " I said “yeh why” he said “because I just brought you an engagement ring!” I said o.k. and that was 4 years ago and he still hasn't married me. Well that’s that.
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