Tracey took a risk and proposed to her boyfriend - but it didn't all go to plan

These days it's not unusual for women to go against traditional social norms and propose to their partners.

From not wanting to wait to simply expressing their love, there are many reasons why a woman would choose to take the reins when it comes to their proposal.

Among those was Tracey Hall – a bride-to-be who got down on one knee and asked her husband Mike to marry her in December 2021.

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Tracey, 53, met Mike, 61, online in 2019 and they hit it off immediately. Knowing they had a strong connection, the pair decided to move in together before the end of the year.

“From the very beginning, our relationship was built on deep mutual love and respect,” Tracey, an administrator and holistic therapist, said.

“Mike has always been my biggest supporter in everything I do. He embodies kindness, compassion and a heartfelt sincerity that I had never experienced before –like something out of a movie. I was overwhelmed by how compatible we were and truly enjoyed every moment we spent together.”

Tracey says she knew she wanted to marry housing maintenance supervisor Mike after attending her son’s wedding in-between lockdowns in September 2020.

The following year, she put her plan into action by arranging a romantic getaway just before Christmas.

Tracey, who lives in Waterlooville in Hampshire but regularly visits her daughter and grandchildren in Oldham, said: “In our relationship, Mike has always made me feel empowered like I can achieve anything.

“So, I arranged a pre-Christmas weekend getaway at a local spa hotel, where we indulged in fine food, drinks, and treatments together. It was the perfect escape from the craziness of the world and the daily grind.”

But when it came to the proposal itself, not everything went to plan – although Tracey was able to come up with some great last-minute solutions.

“I proposed in our hotel room over Sunday morning breakfast, wrapping up a wonderfully romantic weekend away,” she said. “I had planned the weekend getaway just the week before and decided to propose with a necklace instead of a ring.

“Initially, I wanted to have the words "Will you marry me?" engraved along the edges of the pendant, but the necklace didn’t arrive until a few hours before we were due to leave.

“So, I improvised by writing the message on a small note and wrapping it around the pendant. I was determined to propose and didn’t want to delay it.”

Though Mike was raised with traditional values, he said yes. “Mike was genuinely shocked,” Tracey said. “It was completely unexpected. Given how in tune we are, always thinking and saying the same things, it caught him off guard. He was deeply touched, a little emotional, and incredibly happy. Of course, he said yes.”

After getting engaged, they broke the news to family and friends who were all incredibly supportive. The loved-up pair are set to get married on December 12 this year.

“Our friends and family were thrilled for us,” Tracey added. “I think the older generations might have more set ideas about proposals, but our loved ones were just happy that we found each other.”

When asked about her thoughts on proposing as a female, Tracey shared with Diamonds Factory: “I don’t believe the taboo is as strong as it once was, especially since I have a few friends who have also proposed to their partners. I think if you love someone, you should just go for it. What better way to show your love?”

Tracey also has some final words for all the women out there who are considering proposing themselves, adding: “Just do it. Don’t worry about what others might think or say.

“Be mindful of how and where you propose, but honestly, that applies to any proposal. Mike and I aren’t ones for grand public gestures, so I made sure the moment was intimate and special for us.”