Longevity, Blessings, and Journeys

December 29 was a very special day. We were in the Galapagos and had spent the day snorkeling in crisp blue waters. We got to swim with playful sea lions and explore deserted beaches lined with mangroves, black lava rocks and crimson crabs. On the boat we were served a delicious lunch of fresh ceviche and the day was filled with exclamations and laughter. We finally returned to our hotel on Santa Cruz in the late afternoon and Justin suggested we go out to a private dinner, just the two of us – on a little “date night” in the Galapagos Islands.

The family waited for us at the restaurant.

We headed out just before 5 pm and rode one of the white pickup truck taxis back out to the dock. Justin said he had a found a special restaurant for us that was only accessible by boat. The water taxi dropped us off at an algae-covered dock, strewn with sleeping marine iguanas. We then walked down a winding sidewalk through a lush landscape that would eventually lead to the restaurant. There were virtually no people and sight and it was quiet and peaceful.

Finally we reached the pool deck of a private hotel where we stopped for a drink. I had a Sauvignon Blanc and Justin ordered a Zacapa on the rocks. After finishing our drinks Justin led me out of the pool deck and farther down the beach to a little tree-lined cove. The sun was setting and a slight misting of rain had begun to fall. The tiniest of waves were softly lapping at the shore and the only sounds were the sighing of the ocean and the waking croaks of some distant frogs. Then, after taking both of my hands in his, taking a deep breath and smiling, Justin got down on one knee and proposed.

It was a lovely, serene, and romantic moment. I said yes, of course! He then let me know that my family was waiting to celebrate with us at a restaurant nearby. We walked back down the winding sidewalk, through the forested area now humming with nighttime insects and arrived back at the dock where we had first arrived on the water taxi. The restaurant was situated right on the water and my family was waiting on the deck, at a table dotted with flickering candles and a beautiful bouquet of tomato-red Royal Poincianas bound with white satin. 

Two bottles of champagne were already chilling table side and we were received by my family with congratulations and embraces. After taking some celebratory photos and the tears had finally subsided, the six of us then enjoyed a leisurely dinner of giant, crunchy coconut shrimp and a tangy lemon tart for dessert. And just when I thought the night couldn’t be more perfect, we looked over the dock into the ocean and spotted a giant sea turtle swimming slowly by. Surely this must be a sign, I thought. And sure enough, what does the sea turtle symbolize? Longevity, blessings, and journeys.

Here’s to our new journey!

Engaged!