The festive period is fast approaching – and it’s going to be that little bit more special for the future Mrs Christmas.
There was just one gold ring that mattered when Alex Christmas blew his partner Stephanie Sewhee away by proposing at the site of the couple’s new home at Sherborne Fields, Basingstoke, Hampshire.
The couple were putting their handprints into the foundations of their Persimmon Homes new-build when Alex suddenly dropped to one knee and popped the question.
Emotional Stephanie immediately said yes, to the relief of 25-year-old Alex.
Alex, a customer service representative from Tadley, said: “We’d talked about getting married and I had always planned to do it when we moved into our new home.
“But we’ve paid the deposit at Sherborne Fields so I thought I’d catch Stephanie off guard.
“I booked her half a day off work and took her to see our plot. We were putting our handprints in the concrete then I went for it.
“She wondered what I was doing at first and was really surprised. I was pretty sure she’d say yes but it was still really nerve-wracking.”
Elaine Stratford, Sales & Marketing Director at Persimmon Homes Thames Valley, said the team was delighted to be able to help Alex with his proposal.
She said: “Alex approached us with his idea of surprising Stephanie at the site of their new home.
“We thought it was a lovely idea and were delighted to be able to help him organise it. They make a lovely couple and we wish them well as they start the next stage of their lives together.”
The couple have been together for four years after meeting at Debenhams. Alex was a security guard while Stephanie was working on the shop floor.
Romance blossomed and for the last three years they have been saving to buy a property of their own while living with Alex’s parents.
They looked at more than 40 properties before falling in love with the Persimmon development in Basingstoke.
Alex said: “I drive past the development every day on the way to work. We went to see the first phase but the timing wasn’t quite right as we hadn’t saved a large enough deposit.
“Eighteen months went by and we went back to look at phase five. We found out that the mortgage was going to be cheaper than another house we were considering – even though it had two bedrooms instead of one, an en-suite and a parking space. It was a no-brainer.
“We are so excited. We just can’t wait to make that next step in our lives together.”
Alex and Stephanie, who now works at Reading Football Club, are due to move into their new home at the beginning of next year.
Sherborne Fields is a wonderful new development of two, three and four bedroom homes. It offers a variety of quality accommodation, ranging from stylish two bedroom homes, perfect for an investment or first time buyer, to The Candover – a stunning four bedroom detached home with utility room and en-suite to the master bedroom.
For more information, visit www.persimmonhomes.com