Our engagement on 11.10.2009

Again, signs of life! I thought it would be a good idea to finally update our blog. It is something that I should have done a few weeks ago but life is still quite hectic in Wien.

We have some big news!! We are now engaged!! I asked the question on a recent trip to the National Park Thayatal on the Austrian/Czech Republic border. Jessi and I went on a normal hiking trip on Sunday, October 11. It was a gloomy day with a normal fall temperature of around 15 C (60 F) but the perfect day for a hike! So we drove from Wien to Hardegg, which is the smallest city (not town or village but city) in Austria, and parked along the River Thaya. After my short visit to the Czech Republic, we hiked for about 4 km along the Thaya. It was a difficult hike because the trail was slippery from the rain the night before and the wet leaves. However, we persevered and saw lots of fall colors and some wildlife. You can look at the pictures if you follow this link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/joelwalker1975/NationalparkThayatal02?feat=email#

After following the Thaya as it made an oxbow, we hiked up to the top of the hill at the neck of the oxbow. It was about 150 feet straight up on a trail that needed some work. However, we had this spectacular view at the top. As we took some pictures, we were joined by a family at this viewpoint. So we decided to have an apple and relax until they left. After they left, I asked Jessi to over to the viewpoint and enjoy the view one last time before we started hiking back to Hardegg. I was very nervous at this point!!

Here was my proposal:
I said "I have two questions to ask you. The first question is: How do I say, in German, will you marry me?"
Jessi responded with: "Willst du mich heiraten?".
Then I asked Jessi: "Willst du mich heiraten?"
Jessi responded: "Yes!"

We haven't set a date but we plan to get married in September or October of 2010. We will have the wedding in Germany. We are very excited and happy too!!

Joel