“how he asked” - Christina & sam

How did Sam propose?

Well... I'll start off with it a little background, how it happened, then give you the back story from Sam.

We had spoken about marriage a few times before and knew it was always on the cards for us, Sam's mum had been hinting about rings as MIL do and I had already given him an idea of what type of designs I would like but from my side there was never any pressure. We'd been together for just over 2.5 years, had lived at home with my parents then 4 months earlier and now moved into our own home. All I had said to Sam is he can propose it however and whenever he likes BUT it can not be on any type of holiday (Christmas, New Year, birthday) because I wanted it to be our date. I wouldn't say he chose the 23rd December for this reason it just happened.

Where Sam worked at the time they finished early on the last working day before Christmas and went to the pub. At the time I finished work he wasn't ready to come home so I decided to go home and he could let me know when he wanted picking up. I hadn't been home long before I had the phone call to come get him, it was just enough time to sort out the washing ready to take upstairs so I left it on the chair by the door and went out. It was a horrible evening, hammering it down with rain so Sam was soaked by this point, strange considering he’d only walked a few hundred yards down the road.

We only have a small hall in our house, enough for one person/the door to open so I walked straight into the lounge and grabbed the washing to take upstairs whilst he took his shoes and coat off, I turned around with my arms full with the biggest pile of laundry EVER to him down on one knee presenting me a ring. Accompanied with the words, “Chrisi Cook will you marry me?”

Of course I said yes.

It all seemed quite random so I'll now fill you in with Sam's side of the story…

As lads do when they are all together drinking, being “lads”, a few girls walked past and one of them posed the question to Sam along the lines of;

Friend - “Would you go there?”
Sam - “Well no I'm happy with Chrisi”
Friend - “But what if you weren't?”
Sam - “Still no because why wouldn't I be with her?”

Nawwwww - he could of been buttering me up but I choose to believe that he really only has eyes for me!!

That's when it hit him, he didn't want to be with any one else so why wait?! And off he trotted to the other side of town in the pooring rain to buy a ring. After 8 pints of Guinness he was quite drunk and was even asked by the jeweler if he “knew what he was doing?!” and “If he needed a black coffee?!” 😂

It wasn't romantic at all, just a good reason and a funny story behind it. But that is 'us' summed up, we aren't big romantics but you can tell the love is there without the big gestures.

How did you feel when Sam proposed?

I was in complete shock, all I could get out was “Are you serious?” and “YES!”

I was in so much shock I stood there going round the living room in a circle not knowing where to put the washing.

I had no idea what to expect when that day came because as I said we aren't romantics.

I sometimes think back and think I wish mine was more romantic like you see in the movies but at the same time it was spot on us!

Who was the first person you told?

We both rang out mum's at the same time. They were both delighted for us.

What were You most excited about for your wedding day?

We are now 2 years into our marriage, looking back I was most looking forward to our reception. We'd arranged for Silver Service Singers as entertainment - this is where they blend in with the catering team, serve drinks and try to get to know the crowd and at a specific time make a huge scene which in our case was falling over with a really loud tray and ice bucket! When everyone is so shocked and didn't know what to do, he gets up and starts singing.
It was amazing, it was only the two of us that knew about it and we also told Lisa and Marc as wanted them to record it all.

I had chance to change from my wedding dress to my evening dress just before hand because I knew I wouldn't be able to get up and dance easily with my dress on. No one had a clue and it was an amazing response, nothing you'd expect at a wedding which is completely us.