I have been at a loss for words to express our excitement for this day! We are getting married!!
When we arrived in Punta Arenas, two days after departing from Puerto Natales, we decided to go on a hike at the tip of the South America mainland. Our amazing hostel host, Eduardo, gave us directions to a remote trail along the beach and we spent the afternoon of January 4th reaching the trail.
January 5, 2012 was a special day for many reasons. The sun was shining with a light breeze, such a rare occasion in Patagonia! We visited a Refugio along the beach where sweet kids who were working for the summer gave us the keys to the light house- this light house was the Eastern entrance to the Magellan straight which all ships pass as they navigate around the continent. Normally, you can not enter, but we were excited to climb to the top and look out at the spectacular view as ships sailed past.
We thanked the staff for the special treat and walked down the beach to a trail which climbs to the top of Mt. Tam, about 2,600ft, at the tip of continental South America. This same mountain was climbed by the famous Charles Darwin around 1831 and overlooks the straight that the explorer Magellan sailed across 500 years ago.
When we reached the top, we celebrated with our normal pictures, hooting and hollering. It was Justin’s mom’s beautiful birthday. We thought of her, smiling down on us from above – we miss you dearly.
“Shoot… The memory card is full,” Justin shouted in the powerful wind.
We hiked a bit of the ways down the side of the mountain to hide from the wind and ate a snack while he changed cards.
“Come on, let’s go back to the top!” he said excitedly.
When we arrived back at the top, a small pocket of snow was headed our way. I pointed to it and told Justin we did not have much time until the next cloud of snow and wind would roll through. He seemed preoccupied and was adamant that we take one more set of pictures at the top. I positioned myself and waited… And well.. You know the rest!!
We danced in the snow storm and laughed as we hopped along the muddy trail back to sea level where we set up camp with an ocean front view.
Spinach pasta (our nightly 400grams of spaghetti) with roasted red sauce (tomato sauce packet), wild boar (sliced salami), freshly grated Parmesan cheese (20 grams of packaged Parmesano cheese), and a flaky piece of bread (it was pretty flaky), made for a perfect celebratory dinner, oh and don’t forget the 190 gram chocolate almond bar after. Our bodies deserved the treatment after such a feat.
With smiles on our face, we skipped back into Punta Arenas this morning to share our exciting news and clean up for a nice dinner on the town.
28 Comments
Grandma · January 6, 2012 at 11:43 am
Congratulations you two!
I am so happy for you.
I send you lots of love and hugs.
Tynan · January 6, 2012 at 12:02 pm
Hurray! Congratulations! Im so happy for you.
Josh · January 6, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Yeahhh, buddy!!! Congrats! and on my birthday – A special day indeed!! As always, safe travels!
Sierra · January 6, 2012 at 12:07 pm
OH MY GAH! I am sitting at my desk at work and crying, too! CONGRATULATIONS to you both! I am sooo happy for you– though I think we all knew that you two were meant to be since you first met. I can’t wait to see you again and hug and kiss you both. Mwah mwah mwah! Love you- Sierra 🙂
Comet · January 6, 2012 at 12:12 pm
You guys rule! Congratulations!
The Garcia Family · January 6, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Coach Justin and Melissa,
Congratulations on your engagement! What exciting and happy news. We are all thrilled for you!
What a perfect and memorable location for the proposal, and we love that you caught it on film.
We wish you happy and safe travels back home, and we’ll see you soon at the pool.
-The Garcia Family (Reagan & Meredith, AP Dolphins)
Brady and Cooper · January 6, 2012 at 12:32 pm
Congratulations!!!
Carlene Ludewig · January 6, 2012 at 12:33 pm
WOW!!! That is grand news! Love you lots! Carlene n Steve
Cynthia · January 6, 2012 at 12:42 pm
Oh my gosh, congratulations!!!!!!!! What wonderful news! I am so happy for you both and cannot wait to see you and give you a great big hug!
XOXOXO,
Cynthia
Matt Back · January 6, 2012 at 1:01 pm
Well done! Congrats!
jane anderson · January 6, 2012 at 1:09 pm
Way to go Justin…so happy for you both..sending LOVE and hugs <3
Jen Duggan · January 6, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Congrats!! Tanner will be very excited to watch the video tonight.
Meredith Weber1 · January 6, 2012 at 1:59 pm
What an amazingly fitting way to end your South American journey! My friend Justin has been in good hands for sometime…and now forever. Great job Justin. So happy for you both. Can’t wait to see you both when you return!!
Ian Lesser · January 6, 2012 at 3:48 pm
WOW THAT IS SO AWESOME!! YES PERFECT. I am so happy for you both. You are such a perfect pair. I can’t wait to see both your smiling faces. Congratulations!!!! Your guys tenacity for living life purely should be an example for the world.
Amanda Vick & Family · January 6, 2012 at 4:57 pm
Happy for you both:) What an incredible proposal! and the perfect location. wish you the best on the rest of your journey as fiances!! cant wait to hear all about your exploration in march(:
John Shanahan · January 6, 2012 at 5:43 pm
Thank you for sharing the news.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the sharing of your journey.
John
Dana Morton · January 6, 2012 at 5:43 pm
OMG Congratulations you guys! (I knew it as soon as I saw the email subject!) I’ve loved reading your posts and I’m so happy for you both 🙂
Patty Crawford · January 6, 2012 at 6:15 pm
Love it! Also love the day you chose to propose. Your mom was smiling down from above… I can see her now smiling and so proud! Love you guys!!
Wendy Pederson · January 6, 2012 at 6:47 pm
Woohoo and congratulations! I’ve been wondering when this was going to happen! You two seem truly meant to experience the adventure of “the rest of your lives” together! Thank you for sharing such an intimate moment with us.
Jessica Schleicher · January 6, 2012 at 6:54 pm
Wow!! From the moment Melissa told me about you Justin….I new you were the one for her! You have both overcome so many obstacles and have accomplished so much in such a short time! You both amaze me in a way that words can not explain! I am so happy for both of you!!! And so PROUD to be able to call you MY brother Justin just as I have ALWAYS been so BLESSED to be able to call Missy MY sister!! You both INSPIRE ME!! XOXO
Joy Schleicher · January 6, 2012 at 7:06 pm
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!This is amazing!!!I am so proud!!!!!!I love you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I`m super syced!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!AUNT MISSY/GOD MOTHER AND UNCLE JUSTIN!!!!!!!!!!!You inspired my heart:) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I knew it! I love you two!!
rev. Ripple · January 7, 2012 at 1:16 am
Thank You for letting us all be a part of your joyful bliss. What a beautiful way to cap off such an remarkable journey. To your future!!!
jane anderson · January 7, 2012 at 7:36 am
Can not put into words how happy I am for you both….just awesome! <3
Elizabeth Gilhooly · January 7, 2012 at 10:29 am
Congratulations! WOW so cool, see you soon.!
Mom · January 7, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Congratulations Sweethearts! I love the video, and our video chat when you first shared your news – and I have been thinking about you every day. Justin, I am so thrilled to have you as my new son-in-law. You are so special – and it makes my “Mom’s” heart happy to see how much you two love and care for each other.
I am looking forward to when you get home so I can give you both a great big hug! I love you lots,
Mom
Bill and Alex · January 8, 2012 at 11:53 am
Congratulations! whoa and we are so happy for the both of you.
Love,
Alex and Bill
Bill and Alex · January 8, 2012 at 12:05 pm
Congratulations! Felizidades to an amazing couple.
We are so happy for the both of you.
Love,
Alex and Bill
DAD · January 8, 2012 at 3:18 pm
CONGRADULATIONS TO THE BOTH OF YOU. WATCHING YOUR VIDEO I HAD TEARS IN MY EYES. MELISSA I LOOK FORWARD TO GIVING YOU AWAY AT YOUR WEDDING. JUSTIN I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU AS MY SON IN LAW. PLEASE GET HOME SAFELY. ALL MY LOVE
DAD