Anyone who knows me (Louise), knows I love autumn. I love a cosy, autumnal day. We had been meaning to have a 'date day' for a while because 2024 was mental and busy. So, Alex planned out a date day for us to go to Shere (where The Holiday is filmed) which was where we went on our 4th date after I told Alex on the 3rd date how desperate I was go to there. He booked a pub lunch (classic us) at The White Horse, where the iconic Jude Law and Cameron Diaz lock eyes across the room, followed by some mooching around the shops including my fave, Split Figs. I even picked up a 'congrats on your engagement' card while in there stating "well, we're at that age now where everyone will be getting engaged soon"... We then set off on a welly walk (again, classic us). We took the route we took on that 4th date back in 2018, and even sat on the exact same bench. Now, all my friends has tried to guess how Alex would propose, and many had guessed, on a welly walk. While we sat there, I suddenly thought "this is it". Alex knew this, and as he wanted me to be surprised, so he threw me off the scent. He looked around as if he was about to pop the question, and then stood up and said "right, let's go!" and continued the walk. When you've been together 6 and a half years, there are a few moments that come and go where I would think "that would have been a great opportunity to propose", and you move on. So, that's what I did, I forgot about it, we finished the walk, got in the car and drove home. Once we got home, I lit the fire, put on my Charlie Brown pumpkin shaped vinyl record (naturally), and sat and read my book for a while. Alex had told me that we were meeting his parents for a drink at The Wine Yard in Farnham before they met some friends for dinner. Deb and John do often dress up and so Alex suggested I dressed up a bit before we got picked up to head into town. Me (always running late) was cutting it fine so Alex reminded me I needed to go get ready so I ran upstairs. I realised I had left my makeup bag downstairs so once I was dressed, I started heading downstairs. Halfway down (in heels) Alex asked me to go back up to our room to find his wallet. So, in a strop (sorry, Alex) I did. I then could not find it so grabbed my bag and started making my way back downstairs, moaning at Alex that it wasn't up there. As I turned the corner, Alex was stood there, candles lit, Loch Fyne Oysters on the table and a bottle of Taittinger. Alex then opened with "So... there has been a change of plans, we're not going out". "Right..." I responded. "So we've been together over 6 years now..." and before Alex could even finish his sentence I was sobbing and repeatedly asking if he was winding me up. He then got down on one knee and got out the most perfect ring and asked me to marry him. To which I continued to cry and ask if he was winding me up, and if it was really happening, so much so that I don't think I even said yes at first. I, of course, did say yes. He then lay out a spread of our favourite foods and in true Lou and Alex style, we enjoyed an evening in front of the fire at our little Rose Cottage.