Dubrovnik, now part of Croatia, was once the capital of the Republic of Ragusa – a tiny country that resisted the European empires with wisdom, not weapons. This place of trade defended herself with diplomacy, bribery, and very tall walls. The roads are paved with white marble, and the rooftops are tiled with golden terracotta. In the centre of the town square stands Orlando’s Column – a stone medieval knight at the top of the stairs on which all important announcements of the republic were made since 1396 CE.

Walking past Orlando on our second night in Dubrovnik, Adrian asked me to walk up the stairs. I did so, feeling puzzled. When I turned to face him, he was smiling nervously below me. I wrapped my warms around his neck, and I could feel his pulse racing. He told me that I was the most wonderful, delightful, and perfect person that he had ever met, and he wanted nothing more than to spend his life by my side. He then said “Will you marry me?”, and opened up a small wooden box full of gold and sparkles.

I was very shocked, and couldn’t say anything other than “Yes, of course”. Then I had to sit down very quickly, as my knees were shaking. Adrian adjusted the ring to fit with a temporary ring guard, and slipped it on my finger with a smile and a kiss.

The two bronze figures in the clock tower struck nine o’clock, and we were engaged to be married.