Rich
We’re in the Frog & Parrot in Sheffield, it’s May 2014. My band was mid-set when in wandered the love of my life and the future Mrs Gartland. Of course I didn’t know that at the time, all I saw was a wonderful bottom in a pair of checked Fred Perry trousers waltzing in through the front doors. From that point I’d decided that I was going to attempt to cash in on the “I’m the drummer” line, and introduce myself under the cover of flogging CDs.
I’m quite thankful really that I can’t remember a single thing I said to Holly that day, just that she bought me a beer which gave me just about enough courage to hand her my number and attempt possibly the worst first kiss in history. I still cringe now, I’d never been so nervous, holding her awkwardly in the doorway of the pub, fumbling my way around, before sending her on her way and hoping the ground would swallow me up.
It might be simpler to blame the awkward first kiss as the reason why I delayed our first date for almost two years . In reality, it was down to the fact I was petrified. I knew that I’d somehow stumbled upon the most perfect human being. I was so worried about trying and failing that I just avoided it. Thankfully, Holly not only had the heart of an angel, but the patience to wait for someone as clueless as me to catch up and figure it out. When we did finally have our date, it was a trip to Dublin in 2016.
From that point on we’ve been inseparable, every day is a new adventure. Holly is my rock, the one who can pick me up when I need it. She’s supported me through what’s been a particularly tough couple of years and somehow still stands tall, shining a light towards our future. In a world that’s so unpredictable, and so full of challenges, she’s the anchor that keeps me stable. It’s not just down to the fact that she makes an unbelievably delicious coffee cake and puts up with my dad jokes and nerdy waffle on the daily.
When it came to the proposal, I agonised over how, where and when for months. I even had two engagement rings at one point. I’d been carrying another round in my pocket for weeks when the ‘dream ring’ suddenly became available again and I knew I had to have it. I toyed with the idea of proposing down at Lizard Point whilst on a family holiday in St Ives, but something wasn’t quite right. In the end, I planned to finally pop the question at Belton House, it was somewhere we’d been a few times, and a place that had become a special escape for us - particularly during the pandemic when we just wanted to get out somewhere for a wander. The garden centre also does a cracking chicken pie, but that’s by-the-by, I promise that wasn’t a factor.
Riskily, I had thrown Holly off the scent a few days before our trip to Belton. It was December 2021 and we were chatting about New Year’s Resolutions. I was talking about how difficult the year had been and that I was looking forward to proposing the following year once things felt good again. I’ve no doubt this made Holly seeth, but it was worth it.
It was a gorgeous night when I proposed. We’d booked to walk around the house and boating lake at night. Belton do a stunning Christmas Lights display, and right at the entrance they have a long arched tunnel of fairy lights where I did indeed get down on one knee and ask my best friend to put up with me for the rest of our lives. There was a small group behind us that I’d persuaded to pretend to take a picture of us but instead filmed the whole thing. It is hands down one of my most cherished moments. Even though I felt confident I was going to get the answer I wanted, there was still a significant amount of nervousness there. It signalled the start of the next chapter of our lives together, and opened the door to us building our future. We even told Santa as much on our way round the park (there was a grotto on the walk). He was the first we told actually, and that selfie with him is probably my favourite ever.
I’m bloody glad that she bought that CD y’know.