Since there are many guests who have not necessarily met both of us, and many more who we will not have been able to see in our relatively short period of engagement, we thought you would enjoy hearing a little more about where and how Ben proposed!

Having asked Bernard (and Katherine: at the same time, as it saved having to wait for Bernard to check with the boss…!) for Rachel’s hand in marriage in January, Ben waited until after Valentine’s Day… and after Rachel’s birthday and associated family celebrations… until the 19th February which he chose as the day to propose. We had completed the purchase of our first house –  in a lovely village just a few minutes from Uppingham called Belton-in-Rutland – that morning and on the doorstep Ben got down on one knee, presented a (“temporary”) ring, and popped the question. Rachel of course burst into tears straightaway, almost before he finished the sentence, but managed to utter “it’s a yes, these are tears of joy!” to put his mind at rest! A few days later we went to Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter to design together a “permanent” engagement ring: a rose gold ring with three diamonds set in white gold. It arrived safely in the post about 6 weeks later and is the one visible in the photo on the left.

After such a memorable beginning, we look forward to many happy times in the house (the address is 30 Main Street, Belton-in-Rutland, LE15 9LB): it is currently a substantial renovation project – the photo below was at May half-term: it has moved on since then! – but we are moving in properly in early August. We will have two large spare bedrooms so we very much hope you will come and visit: you are always welcome.