A Hitch In His Plans
We were all packed for our romantic weekend in France. Our alarms rang at 4:00 a.m. (Ryanair) and we got ready to head to the airport. Luckily, I checked my email first. Airport traffic controllers were striking and all flights were canceled-- Marseille would have to wait! Little did I know that this really put a hitch in Alejandro's plans for the weekend... he had planned to propose on the romantic walk up to the Notre Dame Basilica.
I was disappointed about the cancelation but had somewhat expected it, as the strikes had been publicized for days. Ale suggested we hop on the next train to his parent's home in El Puerto de Santa MarÃa. If we couldn't go to France, at least we could hang out at the beach.
We arrived to El Puerto early and decided to take the ferry to Cádiz across the bay. Cádiz is one of my favorite cities in Spain. Quaint, old, and lively, I love spending an afternoon walking around and relaxing over tapas or on the beautiful beach.
We got to Cádiz around noon and Ale was adamant on going straight to the beach. I believe his exact words were (mind you, it's only noon) "Lets go! We have to get to the beach before the sun goes away!"
I thought his behavior was a bit strange; a normally laid back gaditano (guy from Cádiz) had suddenly transformed into a hurried American-type on a tight schedule. What was the rush?
A Beach Proposal
I was almost out of breath trying to keep up with him, hill after hill to La Caleta Beach. Finally we arrived. The day was beautiful; it was December but is was about 55 degrees and sunny. The beach, however, was practically deserted and we had our choice of gorgeous spots.
We sat down and relaxed, talked a little and simply listened to the waves crashing. The next thing I remember is Ale saying something like "What's that?" and pointing to something in the sand (yes, I know-- a bit cheesy!). I actually didn't see anything and was a bit confused, but then I saw the box.
Inside was a simple ring, a white gold band with a tiny diamond. I barely remember anything else-- I was so excited, nervous...surprised! I do remember saying "Yes!" to which Ale responded "Are you sure?" I still laugh about him asking me if I was sure, I mean did he want me to reconsider?
Ring on my finger and smile on my face, we went to have lunch at a beautiful seafood restaurant. Later we walked around to see the Christmas lights that had recently gone up. I couldn't stop smiling and couldn't wait to get home and call my family.
In retrospect I am so happy that our flight was cancelled and that Ale proposed in Cádiz instead. It is a place that is really special to both of us, and somewhere we can return to easily. Every time we visit we take an obligatory stroll down the beach to the spot where he proposed and we reflect a little on how far we've come as a couple. Who would have guessed?
Last Time: Meeting Alejandro
Next Time: The Planning
Raman
Lovly story....i realy like it this is the amazing stry.......i could not undrstnd spanish....Bcz m punjabi.....I realy want or expctd tht someone prpsd me like it.....:-)
EurotripTips
I had a bit of a similar experience. My boyfriend and I had just moved to the UK for a year, and had planned to spend the Christmas holidays in Paris with his parents. He wanted to propose then, but out of the blue after watching a movie I said that I hated proposals when there was a bunch of people around.
Instead he proposed in the middle of autumn leaves in Hyde Park, just him, me, and my beautiful ring. It was the most perfect engagement I could have askedd for!
Lauren Aloise
What a funny story! I don't like proposals with other people around either-- I'm glad that didn't happen in either of our cases! Your proposal sounds super romantic 🙂
Mo
Beautiful - not cheesy - perfectly romantic. You make a gorgeous couple and I wish you a long, happy well-fed life together! Mo x
Lauren Aloise
Thanks so much Mo!
Laura
That's beautiful! Aren't the best proposals always the ones that happen in a spontaneous way!
toby
I love a good love story, especially one set in Spain 🙂
Lauren
Hi Lauren! Lovely story 🙂 I've always been curious... do you and Ale communicate in English, Spanish or both? If both, which language did he propose in??
Lauren Aloise
Thanks Lauren! We communicate in Spanish 90% of the time, although his English has gotten good enough to switch over (he wants to but I don't always!) so he proposed in Spanish.