I have a great friend named Bruce Allphin. He’s tough through and through. Future Navy man and has trained before to become a Seal. However today I saw man of iron melt to the mercy of a woman and be brought to his knees…
He asked me a week ago to take pictures of him proposing to his girlfriend once he got the ring, well today was that day and it was on top of Grandeur Peak! I couldn’t complain about the 3+ mile hike all up hill because I needed the exercise, but the last half mile could have killed me. It was literally a straight shot to the peak with 3 feet of collapsing leg cutting snow beneath us, his roommate Aaron and myself.
As Bruce approached the top with Holly we began to hear their conversation, “Isn’t this just beautiful up hear Bruce?” (I would have responded “not as beautiful as you”) but instead he agreed and was kind of fidgety, she called him out “why are you being awkward?” followed by a lame excuse that his back was cold, ha! Finally they sounded more lovey dovey and calling eachother names while Aaron and I are squatting trying to hide and my legs are cramping up. Then it got quiet and she said “what are you doing?” and we knew it was go time, I poked my head out of the bushes and began snapping a couple shots as he proposed, after she grabbed the box and put the ring on herself, she remembered to provide a response and said “Yes!” Probably a long couple of seconds for Bruce before he got the answer. He was more nervous than any of us had ever seen him, but he still kept to his objectives and went through with. Congrats mi amigo.
We then met up with them and congratulated, took some more shots and made our way back down. Once we made it down the pitchy peak I realized I left me phone at the top…so yeah, I ran back up to the top and snagged, and pretty sure I suffered a minor heart attack in the process. It was a great walk down it was great to see the two so happy.
I think hell or high water Bruce was going to propose to Holly today. He had a ring in his pocket, friends waiting and a destination planned. It was a simple lesson to me that if we really want to reach our goals and conquer our “Everests”, we need to be accountable to ourselves and our friends to make it through. Thanks Brucy and Congrats to the both of you.
P.S. The Gallery has a shot with the dogs that may not be suitable for all audiences. Enjoy! haha
