Richard invited me for a job interview in Vilamoura over piri-piri chicken in early 2019.
Fast-forward two years and a lockdown he moved to Portugal and we decided to go out for dinner at what now is one of our fave restaurants and sparks flew. We should have known we were in trouble when the owner sat us in what he described as ‘ the naughty corner’
(p.s. I got the job!)
So, when Jennifer's parents were visiting in March 2024, I had secretly asked their permission for Jenni's hand in marriage a few days before popping the question. I had carried the ring around in my pocket for 2 days trying to find the perfect time and place to ask her. So, on March 26th I rounded everyone up, including Jenni's parents and the dogs for a casual stroll along our local beach. While my soon to be In-laws were in front of us collecting shells I seized the moment. Down on one knee, with maybe a few tears (me, not Jen!) in the mix,I popped the question. And guess what? She said YES!
The Yes was a big relief for two reasons, one, I really really really wanted her to say yes, and two, I had planned our engagement party the following night for 20 of our friends so a lot was riding on the answer!
(Portugal, where the sun loves to shine over 300 days a year – it's practically begging for a beach proposal, right? Okay, so maybe there was a tiny detail about a wind and rainstorm while we were on the beach, but let's just breeze past that part, shall we?)
And here we have it, our engagement party. It was a well kept secret form everyone for well over 4 weeks, I was very lucky Jenni said yes...