In June 2005, my Husband Gary planned a surprise weekend away for us to Eungella National Park in North QLD, he booked us into a beautiful Horse Riding Resort as I am horse mad, we had our own cabin complete with campfire, outdoor shower all by ourselves in the wilderness, we went horseriding on the Saturday with a big group, he had the ring in his pocket the entire day and was so nervous but I had no idea!! Nothing happened on the Saturday but we had an amazing day riding and a gorgeous night in the cabin

On the Sunday he had organised us to go Horse Riding on our own all morning, we had a great time, the weather was perfect, the scenery was outstanding and we were having so much fun, we came to this little creek in a field and being a not so accomplished rider Gary said he needed to take a quick break, he got off his horse and asked me to hold it, went and splashed his face in the creek and came back to me while I was still on my horse, he asked for a kiss and as we were kissing a felt him fumbling around in his pocket, out came the box and he got down on one knee and had a speech prepared which I will remember the exact words to forever...

He said, "Alicia, I am in love with you and nothing would make me happier than for you to become my wife. Will you marry me?!"

I was so surprised! The first words out of my mouth were "Are you for real?!" But in an excited OMG way! He sort of gave me a funny look for a second and then I said "OMG YES!" and flew off my horse got down on the ground with him and we were both crying and hugging, so so soooo happy, then he reminded me of the ring!! I hadn't even looked at it!! It was PERFECT! My dream ring! The exact ring I had described to him! A .75 Carat Princess Cut Diamond with 8 smaller Princess Cut Diamonds, 4 on each side of the larger one.. We immediately rode back to the stable holding hands on cloud 9, we got back to the stable and everyone there rushed to us asking "Has it happened?!" They were in it all along, lucky it had or they would have blown the surprise! We were so excited to get home and tell our friends and family that we didn't even stay the extra night he had booked! When we got home I found out that everyone had known all along! Gary had told all of my friends and family what he had planned and they were all waiting for our call

It was the most amazing, beautiful, thoughtful and romantic proposal I could ever imagine and the happiness I felt then has only ever been topped on our Wedding Day last year, which was equally as perfect! We just found out we're pregnant this morning so I think that amazing happiness is about to sweep us over again in 8 months and we're so excited!

My favourite quote for him is "To the world, you may be just one person, but to this one person, you are the world" - Too many people get caught up sweating the small stuff and taking their partners for granted. Every couple is going to have problems, it's inevitable but I think the trick to a happy marriage is appreciation, gratitude and recognition that marriage is a privilege not a right - You have to learn to argue without hurting each other and acknowledge that no one is perfect and never will be! Amazing men do exist, but that doesn't mean they're perfect! I got so lucky with my imperfect Husband, we're so blissfully happy and I only wish everyone could meet "The One" and be as happy as we are...

Awwww whether it be pregnancy emotions or just retelling the story, I am feeling so teary with happiness right now, I'm off to tell my Husband once again just how absolutely amazing he is to me...!