A moment to treasure

When Liz Davis, 31, from Plymouth, received a letter from her boyfriend, one surprise led to another…

My boyfriend Ally, 31, always had a surprise up his sleeve. If ever I had a bad day at work, I’d come home to candles around the bath and a bottle of wine.

But after 18 months together, I’d become pretty much used to the unpredictability of dating a firefighter.

But one morning in January 2016, he’d really outdone himself.

My best mate Rachel and I were nursing our sore heads after a night out, when Ally’s cousin, Leonie, 30, came over.

‘I have something for you,’ she said, passing me an envelope. ‘It’s from Ally.’ Confused, I opened up the letter. ‘What does it say?’ Rachel asked excitedly.

Good morning, baby, it began. Sorry I have to work today but I have a few little surprises that should keep you entertained.

‘He’s also sent you smoked salmon and Buck’s Fizz!’ announced Leonie, pulling out a picnic hamper.

‘Well this is a lovely surprise,’ I said, pouring glasses for me and the girls.

But just then, Leonie pulled out another letter…

This time, I was instructed to make my way to the local salon.

‘What’s going on?’ I cried, confused.

But Leonie insisted she didn’t know a thing. So

the three of us headed to the hairdresser’s,

where I had a trim. ‘This is for you,’ the hairdresser said, handing me another envelope. This was turning into a

treasure hunt! This time, a £20 note fell out of the envelope, with instructions for me to go buy some wine, and then go to a nail bar. But it also came with a warning: Don’t drink too much or you might get queasy.

‘Maybe he’s taking you on a boat?’ Rachel said. ‘Or sky-diving!’ Leonie added. It was turning into quite a pamper session, and after getting my nails done, I was handed yet another letter.

This time, I was instructed to put on a blindfold!

All will be revealed, it read. Trust me.

Suddenly, Leonie blindfolded me and pushed me into the back of my own car! What on earth? But, knowing that Ally had obviously put a lot of effort into this adventure, I chose not to peek.

After driving for a few minutes, I heard the door click open. Then a hand was on my shoulder. ‘It’s me,’ I heard Ally’s voice say. ‘Come this way.’

Stumbling out of the car, someone fastened a big heavy jacket onto me.

Then there were hands all around

me, clasping buckles over my arms and legs…

Pushed up a small step, suddenly, I felt a cold wind on my face.

Then Ally whipped the blindfold off me…

And I realised I was high up in the air on a platform!

Down below us, a gang of firefighters held up a blanket with the message Will you marry me? written on it.

Leonie and Rachel were down there, too.

They’d been in on it the whole time!

Crying, I began nodding over and over. ‘She said yes!’ Ally called down. Then he presented me with a stunning square-cut diamond ring. I couldn’t have been happier – or more surprised! Ally really outdid himself with his treasure hunt proposal, and I can’t wait to see what surprises he has up his sleeve for our wedding!