1. The Setup
The first clue was to count the number of each type of minion on a laminated poster (fun fact: minions come in all shapes and sizes!). The number of each type of minion translated to a set of co-ordinates which I had to enter in Google Maps to locate the next clue.
I received a text from my dear friend Lucy early in the week saying that she wanted to test-run a treasure hunt, which she had organised for work. Lucy arrived at my house to pick me up for the treasure hunt the next weekend. When I opened the door I was wearing an old t-shirt, a pair of tights and fluffy black slippers - my family tried to make me change into a dress and get my hair and makeup done - I refused (stubborn as always). I was serious about this treasure hunt!
The co-ordinates led to a clue taped to a tree near the bus stop where Arvin and I used to catch the bus together after school. After climbing up the tree, I opened the clue - a map with a red arrow pointing to QUT - the University where Arvin and I studied. We hopped into the car and set out for the University! Tucked high up under the University Sign was my next clue !
The next clue was a handful of movie posters (all of which Arvin and I had seen together). Each movie poster was photoshopped so that a letter was missing from each poster. Where a number on the poster was "red," this indicated the number of times the letter was repeated (I really love anagrams!). After collecting all the missing letters from the posters, I unscrambled the letters to spell "Indooroopilly". The letters were unscrambled on the background of a cinema (Indooroopilly Cinema was where Arvin and I had our first date!). Once we reached the movies, we asked the person working at the counter for my clue - the clue was two sheets - one was a sheet with an arrow and the other was a transparent map of the shopping centre. Once the arrow was placed over the map - it lead to the Kebab Shop (where Arvin and I shared our first meal together). The attendant at the Kebab Shop reached behind the Counter and handed me another Clue. This Clue was complicated - it was a map of the suburb of Indooroopilly with an overlay sheet showing another arrow. I had to line up the arrow with the streets and that would show us where the next clue was!
After multiple attempts to line up the map to find the correct direction to head in - I realised we were heading towards our School (where Arvin and I first met - I dont know how I was still this oblivious!). As we headed to the school, Lucy received a call from Arvin (unknown to me - she saved him in her phone as "Mum") asking her to stall (Apparently I solved the clues a little too quickly, and he was still setting up). To bide time, Lucy and I took a trip down memory land by strolling through our old classrooms.
6. The Finale
Once the go ahead was given. Lucy and I jumped back in the car and drove down to the field at the bottom of the School. When we arrived all she said was - "it's just you from here in" - and that's when I thought something was up (finally!)
And there he was, amidst 5000 rose petals and tea light candles spelling "Will You Marry Me?", my wonderful Arvin stood, singing and playing the guitar (which he had secretly been learning) serenading me with "Running Home to You." I melted and realised tears were streaming down my face...I felt my heart explode and sprinted down the stairs toward him..I flung myself into his arms! On bent knee, he asked me to marry him! "YES YES YES YES YES" I said. Then I caught eye of the photographer... and I realised what I was wearing - I theatrically flung my fluffy slippers across the field. Thankfully, my mum and sisters packed and snuck into the car a bag of dresses and heels.
After our special moments we headed over to Arvin's house where our families and loved ones awaited us!
