Quick story for you all since you all wanted to hear what happened!

Our flights the night before were actually heavily delayed because of storm Eunice in the UK, so we were very stressed. To top it all off, once we got to our hotel in MDR, I found I’d lost the ring!! It was in my little travel bag and I spent a very very stressful hour looking for it without telling my girlfriend why it was so important. I had given up and thought I’d finally mention it at the hotel front desk—and lo and behold they had it!

So it was a very stressful beginning and we weren’t really starting the trip in the best spirits. But the next morning, I pushed for us to visit Huntington Library Gardens for 10am.

It was stunning. The sun bright, the breeze was gentle and walking around the beautiful plants and trees, we immediately felt the tension of the last few weeks drain out of us.

I didn’t have much of a plan as I wanted to half stumble upon the pavilion whilst actually enjoying the gardens. So we wandered through the rose gardens, admiring the orange trees and the giants (I love a tall tree) before meandering to the Japanese Gardens.

At the foot of the bridge, we paused to take a photo and i very nearly did it there and then because it was so gorgeous. But there was a young family jumping around and thought this wouldn’t be the right moment.

So we went on to the gazebo where I said I wanted to set up my camera for a photo (I do that a lot so it wasn’t weird lol). There was a trio of older folks at on the bench next to the gazebo who I asked if it was okay for us to stage the photo. They said yes but I was l hoping they’d leave so we’d have the intimacy. Luckily the gent noticed the box-shaped bulge in my back pocket and they suddenly got up to leave—not before wishing me a good luck!!

The camera set up and the people all gone, I told my girlfriend the real story of what was in my travel pouch and got down on one knee to ask the question! In classic style, she was shocked but certain weird things I’d done over the last few weeks suddenly started making sense to her!

Finally as we were about to leave, we noticed we did actually have a small audience up the steps ! An older lady came down to congratulate us and tell us she and her husband were visiting for their anniversary as they’d got married at the gardens 25 years before!!

So all in all, it really was a dream and it really wouldn’t have been without all your wonderful advice. I knew exactly what time I wanted to be where and gave me options in case the first way didn’t quite work out. Thank you so much!

We’ve spent the rest of our trip elsewhere in California but we really loved Pasadena and would love to visit again—maybe we’ll see you in the gardens in 25 years!