Surprise!

Guys guess what? We’re engaged! This past weekend we planned on going to the Grand Canyon and then spending the night in the back country of Flagstaff in a Yurt. What I didn’t know was that Tyler was going be proposing to me at the Grand Canyon! It was our first time visiting there and it was the most breathtaking views I’d ever seen. The weather was perfect and the location he asked me to marry him at was even more perfect. For those who know us personally you know we’re not your average millennial couple. We don’t follow any weird rules and have no interest in following societal standards. Our relationship is full of humor and adventure and unconditional love. We do some crazy shit, things that most would not even believe. Standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon, literally a few inches from falling off, was the perfect spot to take a knee and ask me the big question. It was so “us” if that makes sense. Living life on the edge is what we do best. And what better way to ask me to spend the rest of my life with him than asking me on an actual ledge?

You all know the hardships I’ve experienced while healing from reading my blog, but no one will ever truly understand the extent of what I went through – except for Tyler.

We’ve been in a relationship for over 8 years now. We met when we were 15 and have been able to grow with each other as the years passed. Being such a young age when we started dating, I never could have imagined the way our lives have played out. I was young and healthy and athletic and always go go go. We spent the first part of our relationship adventuring and partying and getting to really know each other on a deeper level. Then 5 years into it, I got sick and diagnosed with Lupus. Our worlds turned upside down and everything seemed to change – except for Tylers unconditional love and support.

I don’t know any other human being who would be selfless enough to dedicate their time to take care of me. He had to literally take care of me as if I was living in a nursing home. He had to pick up out of bed just to help me walk to the bathroom where he’d have to help me sit and then help me wipe. Then I had to be showered and dressed and then carried back to bed. He treated me as if I was the most important thing in his life. He always made sure I was as comfortable as I could be when he left for school and that I had everything I needed until he came home. He watched me have nights where I almost gave up. He supported me when I was at my lowest possible breaking point. If it weren’t for his genuine care, I wouldn’t have made it through those tough times of healing.

He trusted me when I wanted to go holistic and he trusted me when I said I would cure myself. He’s supported me through every step of my healing no matter how ugly it may have gotten for me. I’m healthy now. I’m a new person and I feel like I have control of my life again. Without this man by my side every step of the way, this new health would have been impossible. He always found a way to sneak in humor even when I was in excruciating pain. He always knew how to make me smile when I wanted to die. He always knew how to take away as much pain as he could just by being himself.

There’s no one else I would want to spend my life with other than this human being. He’s genuine, and sweet, and soft, and so caring, and loving. He puts everyone else before himself and has the most kindest heart I’ve ever seen a guy have. He’s been my earth angel since the day we met, and I’m so happy to be marrying my high school sweetheart. He’s the most amazing human I’ve been had the pleasure of experiencing.

I love you, Tyler, and am beyond excited for this new chapter of our lives.

Xoxo,

Hailey (soon to be) Jeklinski 💍