Michael and I got engaged!

Last week was full of crazy ups and downs. I’ve felt both the saddest and the happiest I’ve ever felt in my life within a matter of days.

Learning that I couldn’t hike the PCT one day before boarding the plane to San Diego was heart breaking. I prepped for that moment for years and the rug was pulled out from under me at the last minute. I was absolutely devastated and would spontaneously break out in tears.

Michael was amazing through the whole ordeal. His heart was broken too, but he was strong for me, let me cry, dried my tears, and said all the right things. Just when I thought I couldn’t love him any more than I did he surprised me by proposing to me.

That man, I love him so much.

The Story

Last Thursday was my 32nd birthday. It was a bittersweet day, because it was our original start date for the PCT. We should have been hiking through the desert, but we were home in Denver. Since I had been in such a sad mood the previous few days I woke up feeling determined to have a positive attitude on my birthday and to make it a great day.

I was doing some baking in the kitchen that morning when Michael ran out to do a quick errand. He came back with two bouquets of flowers. I love receiving flowers and it was such a sweet gesture. I was so happy. Sometimes it truly is the little things.

We were about to make pancakes for breakfast (I love pancakes and I love pancakes 10x more when it’s my birthday), when he asked if I wanted my birthday surprise. We already decided that we weren’t getting each other birthday presents this year (the PCT was supposed to be one long birthday treat for each of us) and he already gave me flowers, booked me a massage, and was about to make me pancakes. I protested that I didn’t need anything else, but he wasn’t about to budge. Of course, I decided to get my “birthday surprise” before the pancakes.

He told me to stay where I was and close my eyes.

I heard him leave the room and come back. When I turned around and open my eyes he was kneeling with a ring in his hand. He barely got five words out of his mouth when I started crying. Ugly crying.

Of course, I said yes!

I was seriously so surprised and couldn’t believe it had happened. Throughout the day I would spontaneously combust in huge smiles and go hug and kiss him.

Here’s picture of us shortly after it happened… in my pjs with my sleepy eyes.

It Was Perfect

Michael’s original plan was to propose to me on the PCT, but he adapted his plans perfectly.

It was so intimate and unexpected. Now I’ll never be able to eat pancakes without smiling and thinking back to our engagement.

It was absolutely perfect.

Since he was planning on proposing on the PCT he gave me a silicone ring. A smart choice, because I would have been terrified to hike the PCT with a diamond ring on my finger, fearing that it’d get ridiculously dirty or that it’d fall off my finger somewhere in the woods. He said he’d get me a “real” engagement ring, but I don’t even care. This one is all I need.

I asked him if he wanted to wear a ring while he was on the PCT. It was more of a joke, because I didn’t actually think that he’d want to, but he did.

I’ve honestly never seen anything more attractive than the love of my life wearing a ring on his left ring finger.

Lately

I realize that you may be thinking it sucks that we got engaged and then left a few days later to go hike. Sure, it does in a small way, but I’m so happy he did it before he left.

Side note: Once I found out that I couldn’t hike the PCT Michael was adamant that he would stay home in Denver with me and get me through my ablation and whatever popped up next. He hated the idea of not hiking it with me, but I was adamant that he should go do it. At least one of us should be out there enjoying the trail. He worked so hard for it and deserved to go. My only stipulation was that he had to carry a “flat Jenna” with him. He put up a fight, but finally agreed to hike.

Now my engagement ring is a daily physical reminder of how much he loves me. I didn’t realize the symbolism of an engagement ring until he put one on my finger.

It’s Michael’s third day on the PCT. He and #flatJenna are having a great time. I obviously miss him, but I will be planning a few trips out west to visit him on trail this summer. I love seeing his updates on Instagram. If you don’t follow him already, you should – @grizzly_hikes – he shares a lot of stories and his pictures are beautiful.

Meanwhile, I’ll be here in Denver just daydreaming about my wedding <3

This post was so sappy!!