Ref. 28427-32IT was the perfect Christmas for Swindon couple Helen Macey and David Morrison because David got down on one knee to make a surprise proposal.
It came as a complete shock to Helen when she opened her special Christmas gift to find a white gold band encrusted with diamonds.
The proposal was the icing on the cake for the couple who have enjoyed a whirlwind romance.
They met at work 18 months ago but have only been together for five months. Christmas presents dont get much better than this, said 29-year-old Helen, who lives in St Austell Way, Bridgemead, with David. They have been living together for six weeks.
The wedding is planned for November 6 2004 and will take place in Sunninghill, near Ascot, where Helens family live.
I was planning to propose on Valentines Day, said 45-year-old David, a project manager for communications firm NEC in Slough. But once Id bought the ring I just couldnt wait any longer. I wanted to make this Christmas extra special.
When you know its right and you fall in love its hard to wait.
She wasnt expecting it at all. She didnt think I would be getting down on one knee until February.
I was worried and was shaking, but I was confident shed say yes.
David had been planning the surprise for almost a month. Helens best friend, Louize Drury who will be one of the two bridesmaids helped David with his secret plans.
The couple opened their presents early on Christmas morning and David was finding it hard not to show his nerves.
At about 11am David came in from the garden and produced a Winnie the Pooh stocking and asked me to look inside, said Helen, who now works as a project engineer for Swindon firm DMN in Shrivenham.
When I saw the ring box I couldnt believe it. I started crying and said yes immediately.
Not content with surprising his girlfriend on Christmas morning, David saved the news about the honeymoon until Christmas evening.
He told me were going to the Maldives for two weeks, said Helen. Well be staying in luxurious water bungalows. It will be fantastic.
Emma Kate Lidbury
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