Emma and I are engaged to be married! Cool, eh? I popped the question this weekend at the end of a long hike in the forests, meadows and canyons of Yellowstone National Park and - mercifully - Emma didn't hold against me the fact that it's taken me three-and-a-half years to get around to asking!
In fairness, the men in my family have a long and proud history of taking ages to propose to their would-be spouses and so, by McCulloch standards, I rushed into things a bit. It took my brother Ron seven years to get around to it and my Dad was well into his thirties before he got hitched. Nevertheless, Dad was proud of me too: "I knew it was either a pay rise or an engagement when you said you had good news!"
I must say, while Emma and are both very pleased with ourselves, the reception the news has received from our family and the few friends we've told has been totally heartwarming. It's truly humbling to experience the real joy friends have expressed at our news. As I said to a co-worker today, it's a lot like birthdays used to make you feel when you were young!
Anyway, for the romantics amongst you, here's a bit of footage shot shortly after 'the moment'.
And if you're more interested in Yellowstone's wildlife, here's some footage of a really big bison.
Oh, that's what you wanted! To each other?
Wooohoo! Stag do. So when should I book my holiday for?
Posted by: Ian | September 06, 2006 at 01:04 AM
Congratulations to the pair of you mate - about time you pulled your finger out! Now, answer your bloomin email!
Posted by: Matt | September 06, 2006 at 06:10 AM
Stag Do probably in February next year...location TBD...you fancy Vegas, chaps? Or maybe New York? Or even LA? Or Amsterdam?
Posted by: David | September 06, 2006 at 08:25 AM
Yes. We do. All of the above.
Posted by: Ian | September 06, 2006 at 08:46 AM
Oh please don't have the bloody weddin' in Slough or Sheffield! Too much effort to crash it and try and mingle with the guests, i.e., "Who is that cheeky-boy?"
Glad you bleedin' got off your arse and are going to make her an honest woman!
Just make sure you don't get bloody locked in a broken elevator on the way to your ceremony.
Congrats!
P.S. on your bachie party, you're required to hoist up the Jolly Roger and throw down some Pints. Your last chance to do so. Once you get the Emma Peel (naggin') ball-and-chain attached to your leg, you'll be goin' to the bloody Pottery Barn and pickin' out swatches for the furniture, instead of watchin' footy or tossin' one back.
Posted by: NAF Yank Wedding Crasher | September 06, 2006 at 11:00 AM
Actually boys that was one of the conditions! No stag do!
Just joking...I have no control...that was the only condition from HIM...I didn't get a say in what he does...I just have to marry him, cook, clean, watch footy, accompany him to the European Championships, service his needs, etc.! Cool deal hey.
Posted by: Emma Wischhusen | September 06, 2006 at 12:44 PM
I was going to suggest somewhere cultural. I've heard Madrid has plenty of museums and art galleries. Is that ok, emma?
Posted by: ian | September 06, 2006 at 02:14 PM
I suggested Salt Lake City, Utah. They're all mormons; don't drink, don't gamble, don't do drugs, don't do coffee, no strip clubs - perfect!
Posted by: Emma Wischhusen | September 06, 2006 at 03:24 PM
There's plenty of booze and skiing and "clubs" in SLC. Pffffffffffffffttt! TWO TIMES. David's just a poofta when it comes to Pints.
Contact me at Yahoo, Ms. Peel, and I'll forward you the nice note we received from Margaret Giff -- I sent her a link to David's vid.
Posted by: Bollocks | September 06, 2006 at 10:49 PM
Please arrange the stag do early February if it works... Anu will be mortified if he misses the bachelor party, but with Mini #2 set to arrive March 5 you never know!
Posted by: Steph | September 07, 2006 at 08:07 AM
James - send me your yahoo email address...mine is [email protected]
Posted by: Emma Wischhusen | September 07, 2006 at 08:22 AM
Steph - my UK chums seem to have taken stag party arrangements into their own hands. They're insisting on taking over Vegas for at least a week. However, February seems to leave some time to recover, so that sounds like a good option!
Posted by: David | September 07, 2006 at 11:47 AM
Steph - do they induce babies in the US if they're over two weeks late? It just that I know that I wasn't so much as allowed to the chip shop on my own in the month before my second was born.
Posted by: ian | September 07, 2006 at 01:39 PM
Ps. Emma. I don't know where Dave's got this Vegas idea from. I suggested a quiet small town, in the middle of the countryside, miles from anywhere.
Posted by: ian | September 07, 2006 at 01:43 PM
Well, Vegas isn't too far away and Anu can always catch a quick flight home to the hospital if need be.
Posted by: Steph | September 08, 2006 at 08:11 AM
I'll be keeping Steph company!
Posted by: Emma Wischhusen | September 08, 2006 at 08:49 AM
Great reading Dave early on Saturday morning after a few hectic days in L'ham.
Sorry that Corrie and I caused quite a few head aches. You should take your tent to Las Vegas. Will treat you both to a well deserved "fish and chips" dinner. Lots of love for both of you.
Ma
Posted by: w.mcculloch | September 09, 2006 at 01:56 AM
Congratulations! Just heard about it. News is a bit slow to reach down under.
You know, New Zealand would be a good place for a stag do or honeymoon... you could fit in a few islands on your way...
Hope all is well! Congrats again!
Posted by: Tom | October 10, 2006 at 01:00 PM
Great to hear from you Thomas! Excellent thinking on New Zealand for a stag. Current plan is to start the stag in Europe, but you know how these things can get out of hand...leave a light on for us!
Posted by: David | October 10, 2006 at 09:28 PM
Many congrats.
Posted by: Kris in Hawaii | October 13, 2006 at 01:38 AM