The Ring
I'm a true fan for the traditional way of doing things. So I had to formulate a plan to covertly cost, style, size, and make the ring without Beverly realising because I wanted it to be a surprise.
So I started with researching everything I needed to know about diamonds online in fake meetings at work. That would give me the best knowledge for the negotiations with the jeweller. To style her ring, I took several "*cough* I'm sick honey" days from work and madly went around to every ring-maker I could find until I found the perfect boutique jeweller in Sydney that had my girl's style. I knew it when I first saw it.
Next, I had to steal her ring to get it sized up. I "accidently" brushed her Tiffany & Co gold ring onto the floor and sneakily claimed that she'd lost it. MUAHAHAHA.

The Plan
While her parents were in town in January, I had them come to my work for breakfast on the pretense that Bev's mum loves the food there. And so, over a plate of Microsoft(tm) scambled eggs, I asked her parents for her hand in marriage.
To propose, I wanted to take her on a lovely holiday to the islands, but the destination had to be a surprise. So I told her that we'd be going to Cairns. But I wholly underestimated my lovely fiancee-to-be-though-she-doesn't-know-it-yet's knack for planning and quickly realised was about to pay for a whole host of activities at our fake holiday destination. In the end, I accidently let slip the destination while on a call with my brother - yet thankfully she still didn't seem suspcious about my planned proposal.

The Proposal
On the day of the proposal, I'd planned to take her for a nice picnic on top of one of the mountains to propose watching the sunset. So we pack a bag and set off on the bus to the mountain. Bev ends up carrying the bag, while the ring is in the bottom the whole time, and not once did she notice this little jewellry box at the bottom.
When we get there, we noticed a million pirates(?) heading to our same destination... well maybe not a million, but enough that "ARGGGG" would be the background noise for my question, so I decide to forgo that idea. With good fortune as well, because not 3 minutes into the trip on the way home and it start POURING down with rain.
So we're standing back on the balcony in our room, watching the sun go down, with a gorgeous rainbow behind the island. At this point, while she doesn't know it, my heart is going a million beats a minute as I pull the box out of my pocket and ask her to marry me. When I get down on one knee for her, and her first response was "Errrr" I think my heart made it to two million beats a minute. After she said yes, I realised why guys need to be on one knee for it - it's so they can catch their fiancee when she collapses in happiness and tears.

Chris suggested a holiday in Queensland, Australia, citing that we needed a "relaxing break". I was all up for it, and he proposed we go somewhere not too expensive, around Cairns. Being the control-freak that I am, I went online to look for the cheapest package, and was just about to slap my credit card down when I got a "NO NO don't buy it yet!!" message from Chris. He flat-out insisted he that he organise and pay for it, and I thought "Oh how sweet, what a gentleman" and thought nothing more of it.

Then, in the car one day, he accidently let slip "Hamilton Island in Whitsundays". Incredibly, I actually thought he just said the wrong location and didn't even bother to correct him. Then, I looked at him and there was a mixture of annoyance and disappointment written all over his face. "What???", I demanded, still not quite getting it. "I gave away our location", he replied sulkily. That's when I realised he actually planned a trip to the Whitsundays instead ;) It turned out to be a great mistake, because I could better pack for our trip, so no regrets!

We had an amazing time there. It was pure bliss, the weather was wonderful, and it was heavenly. I can't remember ever being this content, this happy, and this blissed out in my entire life. And yet I still didn't "get" it...

On our last night, Chris wanted to go for a romantic meal. After getting changed into my long forest-green Alannah Hill dress, I walked out of the bathroom and saw Chris standing outside on the balcony, taking in the view. It was almost at the end of sunset, so it was pretty dark except for the sparkling lights by the pool downstairs and along the pathways. I walked out and stood at the glass balcony doors and he turned around, saw me dressed up, and smiled at me.

I stepped out onto the balcony and he enveloped me in a big hug. We both turned to look out over the ocean, quiet for a second as we listened at the waves crashing against the sand.. just taking in the view.

"Isn't this just perfect?", he asked.

"Mmmm.....", I murmured, a bit distracted and entranced instead by the sights and the sounds.

Then.... then... a series of events unfolded, but I can't really remember it very well because I was in COMPLETE AND UTTER SHOCK the entire time.

But basically, next thing I knew.. Chris was looking down, his left hand cupped around something. It was pretty dark (especially since he was practically cuddling the thing!) so I didn't really know what was going on.

"We've been together for a really long time now...", he said. Then went onto a little speech that I absolutely can't remember!!!! :( It had something to do with him wanting us to have many more years together, growing old together, etc, etc.

At this point, I was half un-fazed, because we've talked/gushed about stuff like that before. But also half had my heart jumping up into my throat, because I was starting to piece things together and realise what was happening (yes, it took my brain this long to figure out). I hadn't uttered a word or sound this entire time.

Then he opened the box and nestled instead was ONE SPARKLY RING.

I stared.

He got down on one knee.

"Will you marry me?"

"Hmm..?"

Yes ladies and gentlemen, that was my eloquent response to my boyfriend trying to propose to me. Was just too stunned to really think straight! So my very next sentence?

"Erm.. are you serious??"

"YES!!", he said

At this point I had pretty much half-collapsed out of shock, and was about to fall right off the balcony. I was leaning on him (he was still down on one knee and looking up expectantly at me) and just gaping in complete surprise.

"Oh hon.... YES! YES!!", came my response, finally :)

And so he put the ring on my finger, and life was complete.