Our Engagement

Why haven't I posted in so long?

The Europe writeup came amidst the backdrop of life as it changed rapidly. We left Europe just over a year ago, and, immediately before that adventure came to an end something new emerged.

Moving around quickly, we blinked and found ourselves atop the Eiffel Tower with only a few hours to spare before our plane departed - or was it?

Looking over Paris' infinity of architecture and history, I looked at Brittany innocently and smiled. Taking another moment, we peered together. With slight disappointment, as when good things come to an end, Brittany mentioned again that we should get going else we would miss our flight - not too concerned about the flight, I continued to peer.


As I mumbled something about what our hotel view might look like tonight, Brittany looked at me as if I was drunk, time slowed down, and my heart gonged as I dropped to one knee and presented her with a simple yes or no question. She looked at me as if I was playing an evil joke, paused, then cried a faint "yes" as her eyes teared.

(Moments Before)

It was then that I told Brittany a quick story about:

1. Realizing the decision while descending from thin air and describing it with metaphor in my Everest blog article, "...my scattered thought process started to only register the important things in life. These thoughts would float vigorously and aimlessly as I entered thin air, and gently glide into position as my trekking companion and I soon descended. A few priorities have changed."... "Next week I fly to India to continue the journey with my amazing girlfriend Brittany, priority number 1."
2. Crawling under a counter at a grungy internet cafe in India to ask her father's permission a month earlier (just after she left home to meet me)
3. Intentionally booking our flights (only issued in paper ticket format) to leave Paris one day later than planned
4. Booking the first really proper hotel of the trip, overlooking Paris and the Eiffel Tower
5. My cousin, Kendall, scoring us dinner reservations at an amazing restaurant atop Centre Pompidou
6. My sincerity, love, and commitment to our relationship

(Chez Georges atop Centre Pompidou; Brittany bought her
dress at the train station where we had stashed our backpacks)

The next day we flew to New Jersey, slummed it Amtrak-style over to Brooklyn to stay with Kendall, spent a couple of days transitioning back to the states, and salvaged one last surprise.

Originally picking up flights from New York to Arkansas with intentions of strolling into my extended family's reunion and surprising the pants off of my parents by showing up unexpectedly and engaged, plans changed.

My grandfather was diagnosed with cancer and we re-routed to Louisiana. Fortunately, the prognosis appeared strong by the time we made it to New Orleans and many surprises and tears streamed throughout the weekend. Since then, my courageous grandfather has conquered cancer and spent his 90th birthday in good health.

Brittany and I parted for only a few days to visit our families before embarking on a 30 day, 6,000+ mile road trip up the Rockies all the way to Jasper Park in Alberta, Canada, over to Vancouver, and down the coast to our current hometown, San Francisco.

(Washington State, untouched beaches west of Forks)

We picked up bikes in Colorado, an annual National Park pass outside Glacier National Park in Montana, and pitched tent in any campground or trailer park that would host us.

(Lake Louise in Banff National Park; Alberta, Canada)

Driving up, over, and down the states felt like a victory lap after winning a race around the world and winning each other as the grand prize.

The love of my life


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