She said YES:)

I have thoroughly enjoyed my Grassroot Soccer experience, however it has been extremely difficult being away from Haley these past few months on many different levels. Not being able to share the little things that we are both experiencing, being awake when she is asleep and vice versa (7 hour time difference), and having to keep such a HUGE secret from her. Today, I can finally lift one of the burdens that I have been carrying since I arrived in Africa. Many times I have told Haley that I want to be with her the rest of my life, but now I can finally back that statement up!

This blog post is the recap of the day that I proposed to Haley. Enjoy!
Haley arrived three days ago and it has been amazing being able to physically see each other again. We have relaxed, walked on the beach, been to the movies, had dinner dates, and have spent every waking moment together.
1/2/2013
Today is the day! Over five years in the making and I am finally ready to show Haley that I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I woke up this morning at 8:30 and did the last of our preparations for our trip--cleaning the kitchen, putting the laundry out to dry, and preparing breakfast. We had a quick bite to eat, packed the rest of our belongings, and got ready for our jog to the airport. We decided to run to the airport because Haley is not comfortable driving manual on the other side of the road and we would need two drivers once we pick up the rental. I made sure that Haley had her credit card on her before we left (we needed her card to secure the car--for some reason they do not take debit cards) and felt that we had all the necessary documentation before we ran out the door---we were wrong.

It was about a 20-30 minute jog/walk to the airport, hot but bearable. Once we go to the airport I handed over my booking information, driver's license, passport, and Haley's credit card. However, for Haley's credit card we needed proper identification and unfortunately left Haley's passport at the house. So, I had to run all the way back to the house to get it. I ran as fast as I could because I didn't want to spend any time away from Haley on our special day. I literally did not stop running on my journey to and fro. Once we gave them her passport, we were good to go and lucked out with renting a VW Polo Vivo instead of the smaller more uncomfortable Chevy Spark I had originally booked.

The weather the past couple of days had been pretty crumby, so my prayer was that the weather would be nice today. Once you get to the pictures, you will see that the Lord answered that prayer. I had told Haley all along that we were either going to go on a canopy tour (a zipline tour through the forest) or a hike (or both if we had time). Knowing full well that I only intended on taking her on a hike.

When we arrived at Storms River (Tsistikamma Nat'l Park) it was around 2:00pm and the place was packed out with people, ay yi yi, I was hoping that it wouldn't be too crowded, so we could share the intimate moment by ourselves! Luckily most of the holiday goers stayed at the bottom of the trail where there is a beach. Many were barefoot and in swim trunks, not the kind of apparel needed to hike all the way to the top where we were going. Good sign for me.

Meanwhile, I had to be meticulous about where the ring would be without Haley knowing. While we had both been in Port Elizabeth I had put the ring and case in a secret compartment of my bookbag and knew she would never find it there. In the morning (while she was in the same room) I quickly moved it into my black string bag which I intended to use for the hike. When we got to Tsitsikamma she put her sunscreen in my bag before I had a chance to say anything, but luckily had no idea of the other contents inside. So, when we stopped at the bathroom at the beginning of the hike I moved to box to my pocket to decrease the likelihood of her stumbling upon it accidentally. I put the ring in my left pocket, and always made sure Haley was on my right side just in case she didn't brush up against the box and get suspicious. Maybe a little bit of paranoia creeping in, but you never be too careful!

We leisurely made our way along the trail, snapping pictures and gawking at how beautiful the scenery was. I made sure to impress on her that we weren't in a rush, but deep down I wanted to make it to the top as quickly as possible. At the bottom of the steep trail are two suspension bridges which are really neat, so we spent a considerable amount of time trying to take pictures that conveyed the beauty of the water, the mountains, and the bridges. The ascent is pretty steep, so we had to take several breaks and Haley kept on asking, "Matthew,  How much longer?" My response was always along the lines of "Don't worry, it is going to be well worth it when we get to the top," You have nooooo idea how nice it is going to be." (Might as well mess with her a little bit:) When we made it to the top where we could see the lookout, a family was already there, but it looked like they had been there for a while and were about to leave. Perfect.

My plan all along was that it would just be the two of us at the top and we would set up both our cameras to take nice pictures with an amazing view of the background. What Haley wouldn't know is that my camera would take video and her nicer camera would take 14 consecutive shots, hopefully capturing her surprise when I am on one knee.

When we arrived the family was leaving, but to bide some more time for me to organize my thoughts I showed Haley our initials that I had carved last time I was at the lookout ( I had previously come in September). Just as the family left a group of bikers appeared from another trail. NOOO!! Foiled again. So, now I am trying to improvise a new scenario without onlookers, so I thought about finding another spot on the top of the mountain where we could set up the cameras. As we walk up the path a little ways, another group of guys come running up to the top. Aye! On the outside I'm trying to play it cool, however on the inside I am totally freaking out! What to do, what to do!


Haley and I walk a little further along as I am racking my brain to come up with another solution. We looked around for about five minutes and could not find another suitable spot. Meanwhile, Haley gives me the most obvious answer: "Why don't we just ask the guys to take our picture?" I weigh the pros and cons in a matter of milliseconds and decide to go for it, not knowing where these random strangers are prepared for what they are about to witness! As we walk closer to the strangers, Haley is about to ask them to take our picture however I step in to ask them because I wanted to make sure I was the one who I asked them so that I was in control:) I think this was my way of taking control of the situation and getting back some confidence after my initial plan failed.

As we went to take the picture I whipped out the ring and got on one knee. Haley looked at me for a second in utter confusion as if I was an alien from planet Mars. Then her confusion turned to pure joy as her brain caught up to what her eyes were seeing. I told her that I loved her with all my heart, I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, and would she marry me!? It all came out a little faster than intended, but you could tell in her face that she was delighted, surprised, confused, and of course..emotional! I had truly surprised her. Mission accomplished. She said yes and I put the ring on her finger, but it seemed to be too small, it wouldn't fit! However, she was able to fit on on and said that her finger was probably a little swollen from the hike.

My new favorite strangers snapped lots of amazing pictures and I am glad we were able to document the special occasion to remember forever. After they finished with the pictures, they said they were happy for us, and wished us well for the rest of our lives. One of them said that he could now die happy! They left us alone and I was able to share a letter I had written to for Haley. My prayer for us being by ourselves to share the intimate occasion together was also answered because for 45 minutes we were alone by ourselves at the top of the outlook. It was such a change from so many people being at the top when we first arrived and to not have a soul come up the mountain after the proposal! I slowly was able to put the pieces together of my secretive work over the past couple of months for Haley. She repeatedly told me how sneaky I was which gave me great satisfaction to know that she was completely surprised.

Over the past few weeks, I was able to contact her family and close friends who I wanted to let know about the proposal and how special they are to Haley. They all did a wonderful job of concealing the secret and allowing the proposal to be a complete surprise.