‘I knew IT would mean a lot To Richard’
Jill Simkins, 36, proposed to Richard, 38, and they married last year.
The main reason I asked Richard to marry me was because I thought he would like it. The idea came to me four years after we met when I saw a bottle of real ale called ‘I love you, will you marry me?’ It was my inspiration to go for it.
Richard’s family has always gone to the same beach in Pembrokeshire for holidays. It’s a gorgeous spot and I knew it would mean a lot to Richard to get engaged there.
I found a sand artist called Marc Treanor and we worked together to create a Celtic heart design, which he’d draw on the beach with the proposal wording set round the outside.
We went away with Richard’s family for Easter in 2016. Marc had two days to draw the design in the sand using rakes and I helped. It was really exciting, especially writing Richard’s name. Richard’s sister Jen and her husband, Grant, were in on the secret. When it was done, Richard and I were at the clifftop and looked down to see the proposal in the sand. He was quiet for a long time before he said, ‘Of course!’
Our parents were over the moon. My dad mentioned the proposal in his wedding speech. I even bought Richard a wedding ring with a band of sand set in it from the beach where I proposed. I’d definitely encourage other women to propose.
Richard says: Jill is one of life’s organisers. I couldn’t have topped what she did. These days it shouldn’t matter who proposes to whom. I’m very proud of her.
‘I Thought he would like IT’