Our Story

It was March 21st, 2009. Glenna and Sean had been in Africa for 3 weeks by this time and were enjoying a weekend away in Jinja, Uganda. After a long day of challenging white-water rafting and blazing sun exposure, they rested at the Nile Porch Lodge. Here was a view of the sunset on the night that Sean proposed.

The lodge was called Nile Porch as it rested upon the top of a cliff overhanging the White Nile. This was only a few miles from the source of the Nile River at Lake Victoria. Here's a map:

Now, here's the interesting part of our story. Sean had decided to bring along the engagement ring to Africa! He had attempted to secure insurance prior to departure, but was unsuccessful due to their travel schedule. So, off to Africa he went with a diamond ring in his money belt!

On the day that he proposed, Glenna and Sean had decided to tackle the level 5 rapids of the Nile River. Sean had a choice to make. Leave the ring in a knapsack in an unlocked truck at the side of the riverbank or take the precious ring with him on a journey bound to include violent tossing into the water. Trusting 3M, Sean wrapped the ring in a cloth bag around which he wound duct tape and secured the entire mess to his upper thigh beneath his swim trunks using even more duct tape!

With every tumbling from the raft, Sean checked that he was alright, that Glenna was alright, and finally that the ring was "alright". Miraculously, all three survived the adventure of rafting on the Nile, albeit Glenna lost some skin from two of her toes and Sean lost some hair from his upper thigh!

The rest of the story was a simple question,

~ Will you marry me?

answered with one simple word ...

Our first picture as an engaged couple!