As many of you already know, Barry asked me to marry him at the Annual Summer Ball at the military base where he works! I'm very happy and hope you are all happy for me!
It went as follows:
The Sergeant’s Mess at the base has a Summer Ball every year for all the members. (The Sergeant’s Mess is like a club for non-commissioned officers ranked sergeant or higher. Barry is not military but was invited to join because of his popularity and the length of time he's worked there.) So he asked me to go months ago. It was a costume ball (called "fancy dress ball" over here) with a South Pacific tropical theme.
I bought a linen dress in tropical colours with wooden beading and got some flower leis and a grass skirt. Barry decided to go as the forgotten Japanese soldier, left on an island from WWII. So, we got some green trousers, t-shirt and army jacket from a charity shop and I shredded them and made them look old. Barry had a kamakaze-style headband from Japan, and we bought some little round wire-rimmed glasses and a rifle. He was original!
It was a lovely evening. The decorations were fantastic and there was a live steel drum band and a DJ. At the beginning of the evening, just after then asked everyone to find seats, Barry was called up to the DJ table. Then I was called up. Barry got down on one knee in front of all his friend and work colleagues and, very nervously, asked me to marry him!! It was so sweet and romantic! Of course I said yes!! It was such a wonderful evening - something I'll treasure for the rest of my life. I am such a lucky girl to have found such a wonderful guy!The plan is to get married in Cornwall, here in England, which is where Barry's parents live. It is also a gorgeous area - very popular with tourists. That's why we plan to get married in February, during low season. We will be out in Canada at Christmas or possibly the end of November so Barry can meet my family and friends. I met his family a few weekends ago and we got on very well. They are very nice people and I really enjoyed spending time with them. They live in Falmouth, which is very quaint and pretty. He has four sisters, two of which are living overseas at the moment, and the other two I met in Cornwall. We all got on well, which is good!!
Life has been busy since then, with the office move last weekend and my move this weekend! The office move went well and our premises are much larger and more professional (as you can see in the picture). Everyone seems to be fairly happy with it. We're still waiting for BT to sort out our phones - telecommunications here is appalling! We now have a proper kitchen and lunchroom now, so we don't have to eat at our desks anymore. Jade and I had to work the whole weekend, so we have Friday and Monday off this weekend, which is handy for my move to the terrace (townhouse) in Uxbridge! I have four whole days to get myself sorted and settled and get the old flat cleaned. I'm looking forward to relaxing in my back garden on my new patio furniture with a nice cup of tea!
Busy weekend ahead for the future Mrs. Coggins!!
