Flying High in Cappadocia

As you may have guessed Tim McLennan has recently become Tim Weston-to-be!
That might be all the information that some of you (males) need, but for those of you know want the details... the story is as follows:

Our friend Kristy and I (Renee) were at an internet cafe in Goreme, Turkey on Sunday night. Tim excused himself and didn't reappear until late that night, several hours later. When he did reappear he was dropped off by one of the locals (a young travel agent) at our cave "pension" where Kristy and myself were waiting for him in the courtyard. He claimed to have been caught by a carpet salesman who insisted on him drinking Turkish tea with him (quite a plausible story). In fact, he had been organising a hot air balloon ride for sunrise the next morning and the young travel agent had spent the evening driving him around to get things organised. He even drove him to the next town and got a family friend to open his florist shop (at 10pm) so that Tim could get the flowers he wanted for the mornings event. When they arrived, some hushed talking went on between the travel agent and the pension owner. I later found out that this involved organising the owner to collect the flowers and other items they'd purchased from the side of the street where Tim had put them so as to keep them out of my sight.




















The next morning we woke up at 5.27 (as the alarm clock hadn't been set properly by someone who will remain nameless!!) and were due to be picked up three minutes later. When the minibus arrived to take us to the launch site Tim urged me to run back and get motion sickness tablets just incase (knowing full well that we wouldn't need them but wanting to create an opportunity to get the flowers out of the fridge and into the bus without me seeing them).

We arrived at the launch site and I ran around excitedly taking photos, fitting in well with all the Japanese tourists. Meanwhile, Tim "discussed weather conditions" with the balloon pilot as a cover for arranging his plans.
















The balloon ride was absolutely magnificent. The sun rose over the unique, beautiful (and very phallic) formations of Cappadocia as we sailed over and between them. The other 18 people in our balloon were all Asian tourists, mainly young Japanese girls who were very exciteable and giggly. Tim distracted me while he signalled to the balloon pilot he was ready (meanwhile reaching into his pocket only to find that the ring was no longer there!!). The pilot followed his instructions and handed out white lillies to the other passengers in the balloon. Some of them got confused and assumed that the flowers were a gift from the pilot and Tim could hear a few surprised exclamations of "thankyou". Once the pilot managed to communicate (quietly) that they were actually supposed to give me the flowers he got me to turn around. I was then presented with the lillies accompanied by a chorus of "happy birthday", which was started enthusiastically by one of the Japanese girls who was still confused as to what was actually happening. The pilot felt he needed to correct them and said loudly "It's not her birthday, he's trying to propose marriage!!"

I then turned around to Tim who had somehow got down on his knees in the cramped balloon basket and presented me with a red rose, chocolate and strawberries (he knows me well!). He then recited his poem to me with much endearing stumbling and nervousness:

My gorgeous girl,

My very best friend;

To be there for you,

Is what I intend.

To hold you close,

Is like a dream come true;

I can't imagine

My life without you.

Your smile, laugh and kisses

Set my heart free

Will you make me the luckiest

And marry me?

Obviously I said yes, much to the excitement of all the Japanese girls who were busy taking a multitude of photographs and squealing loudly. I'm convinced that for the rest of the flight they took more photos of Tim and myself than they did of the the scenery!

Meanwhile the pilot was busy radioing his ground crew to search for the lost ring. Fortunately, when we landed one of them ran up to Tim and presented him with the missing box. He had found it in the back of the minivan where Tim must have dropped it in his hurried attempt to conceal the flowers earlier in the morning.

Many of you would know that I've always said that I didn't want an engagement ring but this is so special and has great sentimental value. Tim's grandad (who died when Tim was in highschool) collected precious and semiprecious stones. The one in my ring was personally found and cut by him and was left to Tim in his will. Tim has carried the stone with us through out our trip having secretly had it set during our time in Chiang Mai. It is absolutely beautiful!

I was highly suspicious that Tim would propose that day and had a slight nervous freak out the evening before. Kristy, who was in the dorm room with us, can attest to the fact that Tim too was nervous as he apparently drove her crazy tossing and turning all night. Both of us are at peace with our decision now and are very happy and excited. He is such an exceptional person and I am very blessed to receive his love.