PortlandBride

Ryan and I met at work over 3 years ago.  We became good friends before we began dating, in September 2007.  We've been very happy together, and really want to spend the rest of our lives together. Last summer we decided to both take a trip to the UK to visit my family and friends.  We arrived in the UK on April 2nd.  Ryan and my dad went to go watch a football game together on the first day there.  On the way home from the match, Ryan asked my dad if they could go to a pub to talk about something.  So on the way home, my dad took Ryan to a pub, and Ryan then told my dad how much he loved me, and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.  He then went on to ask my dad for his blessing and his daughter's hand in marriage.  My dad, told Ryan that he is a hard working guy, who makes his daughter very happy, and that he would give his blessing.   Ryan then chatted, unknown to me, to my parents to find out where might be some nice places to propose.  One of my favourite places since I was a child is Durham Cathedral.  We went up there on April 9th and had a nice walk around the Cathedral, we even climbed the 325 steps up the tower and looked at the wonderful views of Durham and the surrounding area.  It was such a clear and beautiful day we could see for miles. After heading back down the 325 steps to the Cathedral we wandered around some more before coming to the North Transept, in which there is a small chapel (Gregory Chapel).  Ryan suggested we go into the chapel and take a seat.  After a couple of moments Ryan began to tell me that he loved me very much.  I told him I loved him too.  Then he kept on going, I was a little confused as to why he was deciding to tell me how much he loved me at that particular place and moment in time.  Then, he stood up, I thought we were leaving the chapel so I followed suite and went to stand.  He asked me to sit back down, then he got down on one knee and told me he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me, and asked me to marry him, he brought out the ring.  I was so happy, I teared up immediately, and with a big grin and tears in my eyes, I of course said yes, and we shared a little kiss. However Ryan wanted another kiss, but I was a little embarrassed and shy to be kissing him in the big cathedral, so I looked at him and said "eeeeh, I can't kiss you, we are in a church"  so we made a quick exit to the cloisters, where we sat on a bench and we finally able to kiss. Over two weeks later and I am still beaming.