Real life
‘I proposed on a double decker bus!’
Above: My big bus proposal
GEORGE MCPHEE, 47, GAVE DONNA COLLIGAN, 43, THE SURPRISE OF A LIFETIME
‘W
ow, you have to introduce me to her!’ I said to my friend, when a gorgeous blonde walked into the pub and said hello. I’d seen her around before but had never managed to speak to her. ‘George, meet Donna.’ Sparks flew as we chatted and I was soon showing her a joke someone had texted me. ‘That’s so funny, send it to me,’ said Donna, punching her number into my phone. Not wanting to ignore our friends, we started secretly texting each other. ‘Shall we have a drink somewhere else by ourselves?’ I sent. ‘Yes!’ she replied. When it was just the two of us we got on brilliantly and arranged to meet up the next day. I took her out for lunch and she told me that she was married with three children, but the relationship was over. Things moved very quickly after that and, three weeks later, I suddenly blurted out, ‘Do you think you’d you like to marry me?’ Donna looked shocked but thankfully replied: ‘Yes! I know you’re the one for me.’ My fi rst marriage hadn’t worked out and
I never thought I would marry again but Donna was just perfect for me. We moved in together but in December last year we started having problems. Donna moved out for two weeks and that was all we needed to realise we never wanted to be apart again. We had a big chat to clear the air and never looked back when she came home. One day, listening to the radio, I heard about a competition by National Express to have your wedding proposal painted on the side of a bus on Valentine’s Day. ‘That will show Donna what she means to me,’ I thought, calling up to enter. I’d been hiding a diamond engagement ring for two months, waiting for the perfect proposal idea. When I won the competition I was so excited and started my proposal plan. ‘I’m going to take you out for a lovely lunch on Valentine’s Day – make sure you wear something nice,’ I told her. When the big day arrived I knew I had to get Donna outside at the exact moment the bus was driving down our street. ‘Hurry up, we’ll be late,’ I said ushering her out of the front door. Suddenly the bus came into sight. “Donna Colligan, will you marry me?” was painted in massive letters along the side. Left and below: ‘Oh my God!’ Donna Getting married at gasped, as I got down on one Dundee Register knee holding the ring, flowers Office in July this and a bottle of champagne. year ‘Yes!’ she cried, throwing her arms around me. Everyone cheered. We booked the wedding for July 20 at Dundee Register Office. But, six weeks before the big day, Donna woke up to fi nd one side of her face frozen. ‘It’s Bell’s Palsy,’ our GP explained. Donna was given steroids, which made her feel really poorly.
‘I wanted to show how I felt about her’
OUR FANTASTIC BIG DAY
Above: Celebrating our engagement
‘Do you want to postpone the wedding?’ I asked. ‘No way!’ she replied. So, on July 20 we got married with just ten of our close family and friends, before heading off to a local pub to celebrate. We’re planning a weekend away soon and next year hopefully we’ll be able to have a belated honeymoon abroad. Married life is wonderful and I’m so glad that Donna agreed to be my wife. I just hope I can make her as happy as that day on the bus. BY LAURA PALMER AND DOMINIQUE AYLING
Donna says:
I knew very quickly George was the one for me – although I was surprised it all happened so quickly! The proposal was amazing. George has a lot to live up to next Valentine’s Day. I really panicked when I woke up and half my face was frozen but George has been fantastic. There was no way I was going to postpone the wedding. Thankfully my medication has made a massive difference now and I feel a lot better – especially as I have such a fantastic husband to enjoy married life with. OK.CO.UK
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