We're getting married!

On the day Elijah proposed, he and Maddie were making their way home from an incredible journey—paddling 226 miles through the Grand Canyon. Before heading back east, they extended the trip with a day of mountain biking in Sedona, Arizona, and a day of skiing at Arizona Snowbowl. Finally, as they started heading East toward home, Elijah had one more idea—a “quick” detour to visit the San Antonio Hot Springs in Jemez, New Mexico. Maddie agreed, even though it added hours to an already long drive. As they drove into Jemez, they were both in awe of northern New Mexico’s magic all over again. Along their drive, they stumbled upon Soda Dam, a 7,000-year-old natural rock formation that looked like something out of a prehistoric fantasy. Maddie had no idea the day was about to get even more unforgettable. When they finally reached the trailhead, they packed their bags with snacks and swimsuits, and set off on an 8-mile roundtrip hike. The weather? Perfect. Blue skies, puffy clouds, and little patches of snow reminding them that they were high up in the mountains. And then—they arrived. The San Antonio Hot Springs took their breath away. Tiered pools of crystal-clear blue water cascaded down the mountainside, surrounded by pines and rocky cliffs. It looked like something out of a dream. As sunset approached and the few people enjoying the springs with them packed up and left, Elijah and Maddie found themselves with the springs almost entirely to themselves. Paradise. While enjoying their final moments at the spring, Elijah suggested they do a little spring cleaning (literally) and pick up some trash they'd noticed in some of the spring's pools. Naturally, they made it into a game: neither could leave until each person found five pieces of trash to pack out. Maddie was mid-search when Elijah called her over, holding something in his hand that he’d “found in the sand.” It was a ring. Maddie gasped, thinking someone had lost their wedding ring. “Oh no, someone dropped this!” she said. Elijah laughed and said, “That’s not someone else’s… it’s your ring. Maddie, will you marry me?” To no one's surprise, and through a mix of tears and laughter, she said yes! And just like that, the adventure of a lifetime got its most unforgettable moment yet.