We finally took ourselves off on our trip to Rome. It was originally booked for us to go in May, but what with Mark breaking his leg and my cancer coming back (disaster couple) we had to delay.
Anyway the time to go arrived and boy did we need a break. We hadn't been away together for a year and a half. We decided that city breaks were a good idea for us both going forward, neither of us really enjoy sunbathing (I'm banned anyway) and this way we had the option to explore and relax at the same time. It was great, I can't remember the last time I had that much energy, we were walking up to 4 miles a day taking in the amazing surroundings. Looking back I can see how much emotion can exhaust you just as much as treatment. It doesn't get easier, you just get stronger, but even that is tiresome in itself. A trip away gaves is time to be a 'normal' couple and a gave us both break from all the scans, needles and worry.
Three days into our trip and we go for dinner, walking back, outside the Coloseum a very nervous Mark gets down on one knee and asks me to marry him ❤️ and of course (after a few tears) I said YES. All of a sudden our little break away was turned into a milestone.
The next day we wondered around Rome with smiles slapped across our faces. we started to discuss when we'd like a wedding, who we'd like to be a part of it and what kind of thing we'd like. Coming home it was lovely to be congratulated by family and friends. The last few months have been tough, scarily tough, it was great to finally have something so great to tell people about. We deserved it.
Mark is my rock, he is incredible. He brings be into the now whenever he can see I'm struggling, he gives me perspective, reassurance and makes me feel safe, I know this isn't easy for him, but I know he has given me this ring to show me that whatever happens, he's in it for the long run. Could I cope as well as he appears to if the shoe was on the other foot? I don't know.
Over the course of the next few weeks, understandably our family and friends are keen to know when we plan to get married. We have always talked about what we want for our future but at the moment it has become very clear we do not need or want to rush. I must admit you right now the thought of planning a wedding is daunting, things can change with Melanoma very quickly with little warning. To me, this ring is more than the start of a fancy knees up, and I know people want to celebrate us, with us, and when we do it will be amazing. We still have a way to go to get me back on track. Right now I look at my beautiful engagement ring as a symbol that I can look at every day to know I'm not alone, I'm loved and protected and right now that's all I need.