Journal 2 | Yukee Ong

My London Proposal: 5 Lessons for a Perfect Moment

Journal

by Yukee Ong

London, 25 April 2023. A date I will never forget. After six months of planning, countless nights of second guessing, and a heart that never stopped racing, I finally asked her the question that would change our lives.

The city was alive, yet in that moment it felt as if everything slowed down. The streets, the lights, the quiet chill in the air, all faded into the background. What remained was us. And the memory of that evening is something I will carry forever.

Looking back, I realise that a proposal is not about perfection. It is about intention, presence, and the small details that carry love quietly but powerfully. Here are the five lessons I learnt from my own proposal in London, shared in the hope they guide anyone preparing for this once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Lesson 1:

Ring Size Matters

Lesson 2:

Guard the Surprise

Lesson 3:

Forget the Script

The ring is more than a piece of jewellery. It is the symbol of a promise. Yet finding the right size was one of my first struggles, especially being in a long-distance relationship. I sought help from her mum. A quiet act of trust that meant more than I realised at the time. If I can offer one piece of advice, it is this: do not risk waking her at night to measure, especially if she is a light sleeper. Instead, borrow a ring from her jewellery box, or seek the help of someone she trusts. Sometimes the gentlest way is the surest way.

Keeping the secret was harder than I expected. There were so many times I wanted to share my excitement with friends, but I knew one careless word could undo months of planning.

I held the secret close, telling almost no one. I learnt that discretion is a kind of devotion. If you want the moment to belong to both of you, protect it. Do not carry the ring everywhere, especially if your partner is the curious type who likes to peek into your bag. Some things deserve to be kept safe, until the time is right.

I practised what I wanted to say over and over. Friends gave me a structure that sounded perfect, with three simple parts: “Before I knew you”, “After I knew you”, and “What I see in the future with you.” But when the moment arrived, my mind went blank. The words disappeared. All that was left was a heart that was full and trembling. And that was enough. I realised that love does not need rehearsed lines. A script can guide you, but in the end the truest words are the ones that rise in the moment.

Lesson 4:

Preserve the Memory

Lesson 5:

Seek Their Blessing

The proposal itself lasted only minutes, but the memory is for a lifetime. That is why hiring a photographer and videographer was the best decision I made. When I look back now, I see not only her expression but also the little details I would have forgotten. The way the light fell on her face. The laughter in her eyes. The city around us, frozen in time. Too many couples regret leaving such a moment to chance. Do not rely on phones alone. Invest in the memory. One day, you will be glad you did.

Keeping the secret was harder than I expected. There were so many times I wanted to share my excitement with friends, but I knew one careless word could undo months of planning.

A Final Reflection

Proposals are not about grand gestures. They are about creating a moment that feels like the two of you. In London, I learnt that love is found in the details: the right ring, the kept secret, the unscripted words, the preserved memory, and the blessings sought.

Gentlemen, these are my lessons. Ladies, share them if you wish.