Here’s the short version of our story: My fiance took me on a surprise trip to Cork, Ireland to ask me to marry him. My family is from Cork and he wanted to ask me to start our lives together in the place where my family started. :)
The longer version: In June 2010, Andrew asked Julie if he’d go with her on a business trip to Seattle where his clients from Holland America cruise line are based. Julie was happy to go as she loved to travel with Andrew, until he told her she’d have to miss 3 days of work during one of the busiest times for her. Julie asked if she could just meet him there for the weekend, but Andrew insisted that it was important she was there for the whole time. Julie reluctantly agreed to make him happy and as soon as she did, Andrew had tickets booked to “Seattle”.
Fast forward 3 months and work is beyond busy for Julie. With the “Seattle” trip looming over her head, she was upset about leaving her co-workers hanging. The morning of September 9th, Andrew’s brother Mike came to pick them up to go to the airport. The whole time, Mike and Andrew talked business while Julie sat bitterly in the backseat. Mike dropped off Julie and Andrew at the United terminal and they headed straight for the E-ticket check-in station.
Still early, Julie was in her own little world as Andrew checked them into the computer. At one point he looked at her and said, “I’m going to need your passport.” Julie had brought her passport because they had planned to tour a cruise ship in Seattle and it was required in order to board. She asked Andrew why he needed her passport now and he said, “The computer is asking me for it.” Julie handed him her passport, not thinking anything of it, and soon a plethora of tickets were flying out of the machine. Andrew turned to her again and said, “We’re not going to Seattle.” Julie was confused.
“What do you mean we’re not going to Seattle? Where are we going?” – Julie’s heart was beating fast and tears welled up in her eyes.
“We’re not going to Seattle. We’re going to Cork, Ireland where your family is from.” Andrew told her.
Andrew told Julie later that she looked like a deer in headlights – completely confused, baffled, maybe a little scared, not quite understanding what was happening. She kept saying, “What do you mean we’re going to Ireland,” repeatedly as they walked to the security line. After initial shock set in, Julie did two things…in this order:
1) Cry hysterically at the thought of going to Europe for the first time.
2) Text her parents to tell them she was going to be out of the country for the next few days. (She would learn later that they had been in on the act and had schemed with Andrew for months to fool her.)
Fast forward 12 hours (the longest of Andrew’s life), Julie and Andrew arrive in Cork. Immediately, they are charmed by the Irish accents, backwards driving, and kindness of the locals. After a quick nap at Fota Island Resort and Spa, Andrew and Julie head into Cork City Centre for dinner. In typical Ireland fashion, it began to rain as they walked out of the restaurant to explore. Julie bought a pair of cheap gym shoes for all the walking they’d be doing and then Andrew said, “Let’s go walk by the river.” Julie agreed and they walked a few blocks further.
The closer they got to the river, the faster Andrew began walking. Before long, he was speed walking as if for exercise, while dragging Julie behind him. Finally, they crossed the street and reached the “perfect spot” next to the river. The rain was coming down and Andrew swung Julie around in front of him. Before she could even turn to face him, he was down on his knee.
This very special moment was 5 years in the making, but when Andrew said, “I wanted to ask you to start our family and our life together in the place where your family started,” it sealed the deal. Julie said, “YES” and Andrew pulled out the most perfect ring, which they appropriately named Lady Lee – after the river where they got engaged.
Julie found out later that Andrew had the ring in his pocket for 20 hours, throughout the entire plane ride, nap, etc. No wonder he was running to the river – the ring was burning a hole in his pocket. The rest of their time in Ireland was spent celebrating their engagement, drinking Guinness, and telling everyone who would listen that they were tying the knot.
Thanks, Julie & Andrew
