Burning Love! We met @ BM in 2003.
Finally... I am back to report:
Rich & I got engaged while we were in Santa Fe!!!! Yay!
I had to keep it a secret for a while, cuz we were waiting to surprise Rich's mom for her 65th birthday. The news were a hit, of course! Everyone is really happy and so are we!
How did he do it?
Well... He made me work for it! :P
You see, he had in his mind that he wanted to propose with a view. So... We sure drove and hiked all the peaks in the area for four days, until he finally found the "perfect spot". And it was truly the best!
First, we hiked around The Bandelier National Monument. During this hike, there was one moment when we were getting all romantic and I even thought... "Gosh, I wish he'd thought of proposing on this trip..." But well, when you've been traveling with someone for four years... You just don't know when to expect the ring anymore..." Then, in the midst of some hot action... Three Harley bikers showed up and yelled: "You guys need to stop that! I haven't seen my woman for weeks!" I thought it was funny... But actually... Little I knew... My ring was indeed waiting to pop out of his pocket until the dudes showed up! Rich was so disappointed...
Then, my devastated knight decided we better head north to Taos to find some more "off the beaten track" viewpoints. We drove up on the Taos High Road checking out every beautiful vista relentlessly. This is a gorgeous drive, by the way, with several villages and native pueblos along the way where you can find a huge variety of craft items. I'm afraid though, that this quaint area just wasn't what Rich had in mind...
Then again, we had to keep searching... So he thought we might need to check out the Taos ski valley, later, the Rio Grande gorge, and the next day, the Santa Fe ski area and even the red canyons of Abiquiu....
Finally, on our last day... The last sight: Tent Rocks Monument.
(Pause here: I went to this place totally against my will!! I was so done with hiking by that point. It was hot and all I wanted was a margarita at the airport! I could see his frustration though, when I denied the invitation to hike up the mountain, and I wondered... Why is he so damn interested in hiking on this trip?). Oh Well. Off I went... A little grumpy at first... But once we were there, I totally loved every inch of that trail. It's a continuous path around these crazy rock formations, and at the top, there are some very narrow ridges that allow you to walk all the way up to the edge of the abyss.
Rich kept asking me to go sit on the ridge with him... But you should know... I get a bit weird with heights... So I kept saying no no no. Until finally I warmed up to it and we sat at a perfect little strip of the earth, at the top of the world. It was an impeccable sun shining day... There were red mountains and rolling hills all around us, and as far as the eye could see...
I sat down on the very end of the peak in hopes of getting the freshest breeze on my face. Suddenly, my sweet prince kneed down in front of me and presented me with a tiny red box. Ooooooh! His blue eyes had the deepest and sweetest spark! Oh, how I love this man! He asked me in English and then in Portuguese... Just to make me melt completely. And then, he proceeded to tell me all those things a girl wishes to hear all her life... Oy.
If you're still wondering... Of course I said Yes! And "Sim" (which is Yes in Portuguese!!). We sat there kissing, looking at each other and exchanging so much love...
You know... I've been alone and away from home all these years... And for the first time ever, I finally had this unique feeling of peace. A feeling of reassurance that I did choose the right path for me... This is the life I want to live. And he is the one I want to share my life with. I'm so happy to have found this amazing lover, partner, best friend... Someone to come along and away with me.
For pics of our moment go here:
My song of the moment: "Come away with me", Nora Jones.
* the pic at the top is by my dear friend Cat.
Comments (20)
Babes,
That is just amazing. I am so happy for you both. How exciting and what a man for persevering with finding the perfect place and not giving up and just popping the question in any random place.
Lovely!!
Posted by lacithecat | June 22, 2007 4:42 AM
Posted on June 22, 2007 04:42
so so so happy for you sweet one!!!!
xoxoo
Congratulations!
xoxoxox
Posted by stef | June 22, 2007 4:47 PM
Posted on June 22, 2007 16:47
Wonderful news! And such a romantic, beautiful proposal story:)
May you have years and years of happy traveling through life together!
Posted by Becca | June 22, 2007 7:27 PM
Posted on June 22, 2007 19:27
what a surprise return! missed you, and look what you've gone and done! congratulations, friend. what a beautiful moment...the beginning of a beautiful forever. my heart is singing for you. xo, mindy
Posted by wishstudio | June 23, 2007 6:47 PM
Posted on June 23, 2007 18:47
what a surprise return! missed you, and look what you've gone and done! congratulations, friend. what a beautiful moment...the beginning of a beautiful forever. my heart is singing for you two. xo, mindy
Posted by wishstudio | June 23, 2007 6:47 PM
Posted on June 23, 2007 18:47
Few things can compare with true love. You are blessed! And can't wait to see you in Morocco!
Posted by maryam in marrakesh | June 24, 2007 2:05 AM
Posted on June 24, 2007 02:05
Oh, Linda!
That is such a beautiful post, I love the symbolism of being forced (against some resistance) to go on that last trek, to sit out on that scary ledge and there finding the perfect gift that was waiting for you to get there.
I couldn't be happier for you. You followed your gypsy heart and it was the right path for you. I'm feeling like my whole body is smiling!
xx
Posted by Frida | June 24, 2007 5:12 AM
Posted on June 24, 2007 05:12
Alex, what a beautiful and romantic proposal! Your beautiful story brought tears to my eyes. And to happen in such a beautiful, breathtaking spot! I think I told you David and I got married in Santa Fe. This is the best news I've heard all day. Am so pleased for you both. You deserve every happiness together. xo
Posted by Paris Parfait | June 25, 2007 10:47 AM
Posted on June 25, 2007 10:47
This simply brought tears of
joy to my eyes for you
- what a perfectly beautiful
proposal -
oh....true romance and
love:)
I am soo happy for you and
your prince:)
Posted by maddie | June 25, 2007 11:02 AM
Posted on June 25, 2007 11:02
Lovely story and very romantic. Congratulations! :)
Posted by Beaman | June 25, 2007 11:35 AM
Posted on June 25, 2007 11:35
Alex!
Congratulations!
Your story is very near and dear to my heart, as Shayne proposed on a hiking trip to me too! Only he ended up proposing in our tent with my shirt over my head on the coldest night possible since he couldn't find the 'right' spot on this grueling 7 mile hike in the woods in Arkansas. But, I said yes.. and have been happy 24/7 for 9 years. I am really, really happy for you both.
Posted by Stacie | June 25, 2007 8:34 PM
Posted on June 25, 2007 20:34
Honey listen your song from here: http://www.todotango.com/English/download/player.asp?from=Lyric&id=859
Sugar, salt and pepper:)
Something like this: I want It because it is thus, with its heart of cricket. It likes just like my, the coffee and the cigarette. To seat to the table of a bar or without silver to walk. Thus, as he is, angelical rebel and! Thus, as it is, sugar, pepper and salt! I want it thus, with its face of wrist. I want it thus, with its hollow small head. I want it thus, with its dreams of paper. And although always this in the moon, not the change by no, I feel it like the sun in the skin. I am happy to my way and I like that she wants to me, as well as I am. I want it difficult as it is, with its different world. What concerns their world the other way around, without it changes easily. What they do not speak either of my, because I want it I took root. Thus, as he is rebellious and angelical. Thus, as it is, sugar, pepper and salt
Posted by Circirbocegi | June 26, 2007 4:06 AM
Posted on June 26, 2007 04:06
YAY!! Congrats Alex! Your photos radiate so much love. What an amazing story...thank you for sharing this! When's the wedding??
Posted by rubyslippers | June 26, 2007 3:43 PM
Posted on June 26, 2007 15:43
That is just the sweetest story ever! Congratulations, I wish you both the best!!!!
Posted by homeinkabul | June 26, 2007 5:53 PM
Posted on June 26, 2007 17:53
congratulations sweet woman and sweet man!!!
how deeply, deeply beautiful!!!
with love and light on your journey forth together ~
many blessings,
Leonie
Posted by Goddess of Leonie | July 1, 2007 3:51 PM
Posted on July 1, 2007 15:51
Congratulations. Muito legal que você ficou noiva no meu "home state".
Do you have a date in mind, or are you just going to enjoy being engaged for a while?
Posted by ali la loca | July 3, 2007 10:08 AM
Posted on July 3, 2007 10:08
What a beautiful, romantic, delicious story. I am melting reading it. You are such a gorgeous couple. Congratulations!
xoxo
Posted by schmoops | July 3, 2007 11:36 PM
Posted on July 3, 2007 23:36
Love is great!
Congrats!
Finding the right partner is a big deal after all!
Posted by Vida | July 6, 2007 5:14 AM
Posted on July 6, 2007 05:14
super congrats alex!! what a sweet story :)
evan and i just got married a couple of weekends ago!
hugs!
*ann
Posted by ann benoit | July 31, 2007 9:03 AM
Posted on July 31, 2007 09:03
Hey there, I just discovered your blog and read this gorgeous post. Congratulations!
I loved the 8 things about you - saw lots of myself in there...
Congratulations once again and I wish you both the very best!
Posted by Captain Cat | August 24, 2007 2:23 AM
Posted on August 24, 2007 02:23