Steve and I have just returned to our hotel room near the Grand Canyon after witnessing a spectacular sunset and a proposal. The two events provided a fitting ending to a great day spent at one of our nation’s most beautiful and unique national parks.
Tomorrow is our 31st wedding anniversary. We are celebrating by spending a week in Las Vegas and at the Grand Canyon. This is the first trip for both of us to the Grand Canyon. We drove over from Las Vegas this morning and arrived about noon. We spent the afternoon walking the Rim Trail, soaking in the beauty and diversity of the canyon.
After dinner we returned to the park to watch the sunset over the canyon. We had been told that the sunset is the most spectacular from Hopi Point. Of course everyone else visiting the Grand Canyon has been told the same information. Wanting to get a good vantage point, we arrived about an hour before sunset. Two young people invited us to share their bench. We chatted a bit and learned they are from Belguim and are visiting the United States for the first time.
Steve offered to take a picture of the couple with the canyon in the background and the young man reciprocated. Later we took pictures of each other as the sun peaked out from behind a cloud near the horizon. Near sunset the girl got my attention and squealed, “Look!” while holding out her right hand. A diamond sparkled on her ring finger–a diamond that hadn’t been there a few moments earlier.
We offered our congratulations and joked that she needed to move the ring to her left hand while she is in America. She had him move it for her. Of course, we took more pictures. It turned out they were staying at the same hotel as us, so we offered them a ride back and spent another hour visiting with them.
To this young couple, we offer not only our heart-felt congratulations, but also our best wishes. May their love grow through the years as they face many joys and hardships together. May you weather good times and bad times knowing that they can get through anything as long as they are together. When life is stressful and feelings are hurt, may they remember the joy of this day as they watched the sunset over the Grand Canyon and dreamed of a future together. I hope their marriage is as rich and full as ours has been for the last 31 years.
Steve and I will never forget the joy and pleasure of sharing this special moment with new acquaintances. Have you unexpectedly witnessed a marriage proposal? Or perhaps you were part of someone’s proposal? We’d love to hear about your experiences.
Susan's Reflections 