Day 4 – The proposal!

We both woke up early this morning. I got the blog written in record breaking time, while Louis went to the shop to get breakfast and coffee pods for the coffee machine in our room. To Louis’ surprise, the coffee pods (which he guessed in the shop, instead of checking what ones he needed before he left) didn’t fit the machine. So we shared my freshly squeezed orange juice, some strawberries and raspberries and a croissant. Before getting ready, I enjoyed a nice bath while Louis got our backpack ready for the day ahead.

Our first stop was the Uffizi Gallery. After some confusion about what line to queue in, we quickly had our tickets and were in. The art work was just ok, nothing really wowed me. All the paintings were also the same, naked people holding baby Jesus. I’m glad we have ticked it off the bucket list but I’m not sure I’d be rushing back.

Next we visited Palazza Vecchio. This was the King’s old palace. Having just watched Dan Brown’s Inferno, we spent the visit relating everything to the movie. We climbed to the top of the tower, 414 steps, where we were able to get a great view of the Duomo. Apparently this is were Louis suddenly started to feel a bit nervous about the evening ahead. As I was oblivious, I just thought he was being weird and didn’t want to go and see the view, as he stood in a trance.

Before lunch, we visited Louis’ favourite Italian clothes shop Gutteridge. However, he didn’t get anything and has since told me the reason he wanted to go was to get a jacket for tonight, but I didn’t like any of the ones he chose.

For lunch, we sat outside in a lovely little restaurant on the square which looks onto the palace. The weather was so good and it felt like we were there in the middle of summer. Although Louis tells me he felt nervous all day, he still managed to devour his own pizza and half of mine…

After lunch we walked through the streets, past the Duomo and Baptistry, and popped into Chanel for a quick spray to freshen up. We sat outside the Medici Chapel, and watched a drummer giving it his all for about 20 minutes.

Louis then wanted to visit the Basilica of Santa Croce to see the tombs of Dante, Galileo and Michelangelo as he didn’t get a chance to the last time. I wasn’t to fussed so instead I sat on the steps outside, enjoyed the sun, treated myself to some chocolate and looked after the bag. Again, little did I notice, the ring was in Louis’ coat pocket which I had been carrying around all day.

On our way back to the hotel, 2 tourists stopped us and asked us if they could park there. Instead of saying, “no idea, sorry”, Louis, in his Derry voice started to tell him how they were colour coded and it depended on weather the lines where blue and white (which was right). He gave them the thumbs up so the tourists were impressed that they were able to park less than 100 meters from the Ponte Vecchio (which was wrong). Let’s just say, poor tourists! I hope they didn’t end up with a pricey parking ticket!

Back at the hotel, we relaxed and enjoyed a fizzy drink on the hotel terrace. We wanted to make it to Piazzale Michelangelo before sunset so we headed up there after. It really is a hike so I didn’t want to shower or get ready before going there because I knew I would be sweaty by the top anyway. Off I went, smelly, sweaty and hair in a mess up to watch the sunset. When we got there, there were loads of people. Louis says he started to panic at this point because he thought there wouldn’t be as many people. What did he expect?

Little did I know, the whole journey up to Piazzale Michelangelo, Louis was texting Angelica, a local photographer he hired to blend in as a tourist and take some candid photos of ‘the big moment’. When we had finally arrived at the intended destination, which Louis had planned all based on previous knowledge and google maps, I think he was surprised to see so many people could see us and will be witness to this moment for ever.

As I tried to climb over the wall to sit and watch the view, Louis kept telling me ‘No, don’t do that yet, not yet, I have something to ask you’. It was then when Louis popped the question. The two of us still have no idea what words were said in the next few minutes as I was totally shocked and embarrassed, whereas Louis was also embarrassed and nervous. I think he definitely said ‘Will you marry me’ and ‘take your sunglasses off for the pictures’. The ring slipped on with ease due to my sweaty hands after our hike to get here.

In true Anna and Louis style, Louis was holding the box upside down and I was facing away from the photographer, who Louis had now pointed out across the road. Angelica came over and congratulated us and asked if we would like to do a photoshoot as Louis had booked her for 30minutes anyway.

After some awkward posing and various areas for pictures, we said goodbye to Angelica and started to let our friends and families know of the big news. In hindsight, Louis should have picked somewhere easier to spell rather than Piazzale Michelangelo! We also missed the sunset after all the commotion, not that I minded.

It was time for me to actually get ready for dinner now and so we headed back to the hotel and got ready. After a few more FaceTimes and replies, we went off to dinner by the River Arno, in our own private part of the restaurant. We followed this by having some Prosecco and wine by the river in a wine bar, in the shadow of the Ponte Vecchio. It was definitely an entertaining day full of all sorts of surprises. I don’t think it has settled in yet, I am the future Mrs. Fields.

20-02-20 – It has a nice ring to it!