A Special Day

Firstly, a very happy birthday to a very good friend of mine "Billy the Fish".  He has now joined me at the ripe old age of 45.  I hope that you, Saucy Sue and the kids have a lovely day.  The fish say hello too, from your kindly gifted aquarium.

Apart from Billy the Fish joining me in nudging ever closer to the big FIVE ZERO, today is also memorable for Kitten and me.

It was ten years ago today that Kitten accepted my proposal of marriage.

It was an interesting time as we had only been back on British soil for a few days, having spent the summer in Ibiza.

In some respects my proposal was spontaneous.  In another respect I experienced a "moment" and I have always felt that special moments are invoked from a chain of events articulating a truth.  This moment was fashioned from our journey over the year and a half that we had known each other and the feelings that had grown over that time, particularly our shared time living together abroad.

I was working in the Farringdon area of London at the time, which is just around the corner from Hatton Garden (the centre of the London jewellery trade).  At lunchtime I walked through Hatton Garden to Leather Lane, which is a bustling street market and then to Chancery lane to buy a sandwich.  I can only dream about Pret a Manager sandwiches now, but that was my mission on the day.

I didn't wait to get back to the office to unfurl one of the little beauties from it's packaging but on the way my eye was caught by a couple of engagement ringss, which were sitting amongst many in a shop en route.  I wasn't looking but they were at the apex of the window and right in my line of view. I stopped and had a good look and marched in to discuss.

The next day we were off to a restaurant at my suggestion.  Kitten was a little bit curious as to why I was so smart and also a little curious as to why I wouldn't embrace her fully.  I was holding her slightly at arm's length because the ring was boxed and in my jacket pocket.

When our romantic moment was sealed  and the champagne bottle was empty I said quite proudly that I was pleased that there weren't any other significant occasions on this date and immediately contradicted myself by exclaiming "It's  'Billy the Fish's' birthday".  I gave him a call to straight away to congratulate him and give him the news.

So the 5th October 2010 is the birthday of Billy the Fish and the 10th year since Kitten and I got engaged.

As I recall the Pret a Manger sandwiches were very nice too!