ABU DHABI: It was ‘Sex and the City’ all over again in the Capital last week. Only in this case ‘Mr Big’ and ‘Carrie Bradshaw’ were Abu Dhabi expats Segun Aridegbe and his girlfriend Fiona Montgomery.
Segun knew Montgomery was a die-hard fan of the movie and hit upon the perfect moment to pop the question – just when she was at the shoe store Manolo Blahnik to pick up her dream shoes worn by Carrie Bradshaw in the movie.
“She is a huge fan of the character, Carrie Bradshaw (played by Sarah Jessica Parker). In fact she always compares me to Mr Big, who played Carrie’s boyfriend in the movie,” said the 38-year-old Briton.
Long wait
According to him, Fiona had waited nearly 10 years to buy the pair and felt it was the best time to sweep her off her feet. “She watches the first part of ‘Sex and the City’ at least once a month and a few weeks ago she decided to buy the signature royal blue heels. She called the Etihad Towers store and reserved her size last month and I wanted to make the most of the moment,” said Segun.
When Fiona went over to pick up her heels with Segun, last Wednesday she had no clue about the proposal. “Just before entering the store, Segun got a call and he stayed out to take it. I walked in and the store assistant got my shoes out. While I was trying them on, I happened to see Segun right behind, waiting on one knee with a stunning royal blue rose and the most beautiful diamond ring I have ever seen. I was completely overwhelmed and I couldn’t believe I had got my shoes and my fairytale ending in the same moment. I have waited very long for both these things to come true,” said the 32-year-old drama instructor.
Surprise, surprise
Fiona had tried on the pair in the US and UK, but waited to pick them from the Abu Dhabi store as the second part of the movie was shot here. “When I walked into the shop it was filled with rose petals, candles and flowers. It looked strange, but I thought it’s a luxury brand and maybe that’s how they decorate the store. I had no idea that Segun had been into Manolo earlier and arranged the proposal,” she recalled. The couple have been dating for eight years and had met in the UK a couple of years ago while working for the same firm. “In 2015 I was offered a job in Abu Dhabi and moved here. We were in a long distance relationship for nearly three years and have now decided to get married here and make Abu Dhabi our permanent home.”
