From Iceland: a Love Letter
#stellerlove
Dear Piper, I already loved you so dearly. But when you agreed to drop everything last summer for an adventure across a giant, subarctic glacier with me and two of my closest friends how could I not love you even more?
Even if it meant leaving around midnight in Iceland's early July light to hike upwards for 6 hours...
I don't remember you complaining once. All I remember is crushing on you hard as we climbed through the surreal light of Iceland's southern glaciated landscape.
< Were those hearts in the sky, or in my eyes as we climbed? >
The next day was better. We hiked higher, separating ourselves further from the coastal plain below and marveling at the expanse...
I *love* how you get excited about light the way I do!
And how you have all the patience in the world for my photographic diversions.
I love your limitless energy...
...and graceful tele-turns.
After the first mini-adventure into the mountains we were all sore and weather-worn but you still had your sense of humor in spades.
So we started our crossing of Europe's largest glacier -- the Vatnajökull ice cap...
You didn't once hide your exhaustion.
Or cuteness...
Your favorite job every night was digging out a cooking depression in our tent vestibule 😍
And when we continued our progression across the ice cap through dangerously low visibility for 3 long days you didn't lose your spirit.
Nonetheless we were all grateful when the weather cleared...
• we felt our sizes again •
I loved skiing by your side through this landscape, watching mountains ahead grow larger at an impossibly sluggish pace. But soon we were in them and the bad weather had returned.
We had so much fun during those 32 hours in the tent, waiting for it to clear so we could descend off the glacier.
I almost proposed to you 3 times!
But I'm a patient guy.
So we made our way to the edge of the glacier... and you kept flashing that beautiful smile.
And as the weather changed once more we prepared to descend. I was crushing on you again as we skied down the vast snowfield, glaciers pouring forth off the ice cap to our right and left...
The snow turned to pouring rain that hurled down on our faces and packs like dirty insults.
But you were okay with walking in front of that view again for my camera 😍 In fact, you had a smile on your face.
Near the end of the 8th day of the crossing we finished our slog in the pouring rain after midnight, arriving at the hut in Kverkfjöll, set amidst the rocky interior of the country.
I didn't bat an eyelid over the $100+ highway robbery for our hostel-style beds in the warmth of this remote hut. I just wanted you to be warm and dry.
In the morning we caught a lucky ride out with a local, off-duty bus driver who spoke little English.
Our bus driver and his "legendary" sweatshirt.
It felt like just the two of us there, bouncing along through an otherworldly moonscape and I imagined a flood of other adventures we could have together for the rest of our lives. So I fished that ring out of my pocket, wrapped in tissue and smothered in masking tape, struggling to free it in order to put on your finger.
Good thing you said "yes" !
We spent the rest of the drive through the middle of nowhere planning our future together. 🌄
Miss, you are my light and my stars. All Love, Nathaniel
tbyrnes
Congrats!!!! Such a great story #stellerlove ❤️
pmd
love this
rico2kblogs
Love story
Kymberlie
Beautiful!!! Congrats to an adorable couple!
linden
I love this so much! congratulations
willowtree
I adored this. What a pleasure it was to follow your romantic journey. Congratulations!
jaywilder
Congratulations! So awesome!
dancergirl101
Congratulations!! That is such a sweet love story. You guys make a great couple❤️
heidihoweth
Best story all day. All week. Plus, my daughter is also named Piper and it must be in the name because she has a spirit much like yours is described ... Smiles, strength and grace. Many blessings to you on this journey.
rainsoaked
A love story like no other!
el_fotomat
Well jeez, that brought a tear or two to my eye. What a beautiful story!! ❤️
PiperStar
Oh Mister! Though I could never have seen what you carried in your pocket for me, I did see that your joyfulness, patience, unselfishness, and tender affection were qualities I never wanted to be without. This trip challenged me! It was harder than expected! Yet you made me laugh, and feel strong at every turn. (Even when I lost our sunscreen!😬) You showed me true partnership. Would I be your wife? I do! I do!
BlueBat77
Wow!! So glad she said yes !
wilderphoto
@aconica whoa that's really kind! Glad you got so much out of it!! 🙏
wilderphoto
@Chandra @mountainchick thank you!
wilderphoto
@iloveutah cheers! Thanks so much! Yes Iceland is so exceptional!
wilderphoto
@willowtree @dancergirl101 thank you! 🙏
BlueBat77
I'm so inspired by your story! I love every pic, every detail and specially the end. It'll get a tear or two out of your eyes😅 congrats on your adventure
wilderphoto
Thanks @el_fotomat ! 🙏😊
wilderphoto
@heidihoweth thank you! That is so sweet. You summed up some of the wonderful qualities of my dear Piper too :) All the best to you and your Piper! 🙏
wilderphoto
@BlueBat77 thanks so much man! Glad it has inspired you! 🙏
cairofoster
Utter epicness
anneveise
❤️👏 what a beautiful love story ❤️ awesome pics, again 😘
abbasbori
Simply awesome
altimages
Just beautiful!
Simcredible
Man! This is one of the greatest love stories I ever read. Congrats to both!
kayley_marie
I love anything Iceland. And I LOVE this story! Congrats to you both. Wonderful pictures!!
wilderphoto
Thanks @kayley_marie @Simcredible @abbasbori @altimages @cairofoster ! 🙏
wilderphoto
@anneveise it doesn't hurt to have great subjects! ❤️
littlesaltedfig
This is spectacular!!! And congratulations on your engagement!!
Steller
#storyoftheday
LadySorely
Love your story !!!! Love your proposal, which is more romantic than a Venetian one !!! Wish you guys a happy long life together :) Cheers from Cheesyland :)
PopStar
Wow
akashapeace1
Beautiful :-)
elisapella
❤️❤️❤️
brianmuse
What a fantastic adventure you had - and have taken us on!!
Paracosm
What a magical story, it's almost like to good to be true, she is one lucky woman, you're a great lover, you guy's are so cute.
wilderphoto
@littlesaltedfig @LadySorely @brianmuse thanks all! 🙏
wilderphoto
Thanks @Paracosm :)
lubrito30
Absolutely Beautiful! Happy life together!!!!
nati
This is so inspiring and beautiful❤️
areesyamarhalim
This is so sweet! Beautiful adventure and wife you have :)
wilderphoto
@lubrito30 @nati @areesyamarhalim thanks all! 🙏
wilderphoto
#Iceland
aconica
@pzangrillo you will like this story
aldoosunah
amazing bro! really cool
saschele
Oh my goodness, this is absolutely breathtaking... Not just the photography, which IS stunning, but the heart behind this. Magic✨
saschele
@KatiesView LOVE THIS 👆🏼💙
crivasindy
Lovely! Best wishes to you both.
ninagraceless
#stellerloveletter