It all began when Cory and I embarked on an adventure with two of our closest friends, Steven and Sheena. Wednesday night we (Steven) drove through the night to arrive in Yosemite Valley at 4:00AM. When we arrived, Cory whipped out his sleeping bag and waited in line for wilderness permits and if we were lucky we would be able to get permits for half dome as well. After a slight change of plans, we began our adventure that same day.
The first day of our backpacking trip was mostly switchbacks in high elevation, which was very difficult for me due to my breathing and forgetting my inhaler. But after a long trek, we finally made it to the second lake of Sunrise Lakes and it was more than worth it. We spent the afternoon setting up camp, jumping off rocks, and swimming to the island.
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| Sunrise Lakes at Sunrise |
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| Swimming in Sunrise Lakes! |
The next morning when we rose, Cory and I sat out on a rock near the lake for about 20 minutes just soaking up the beauty that our God placed before us. Before we knew it, we were back on the trail and heading to Cloud’s Rest. The hike up Cloud’s Rest was probably one of the most nerve-racking things I have ever done. With a drop on both sides of thousands of feet, it’s safe to say that I was shaking in my boots, literally. But just like most things in life that challenge us, the growth and the outcome are so much greater than the fear that keeps us from even trying. When I made it to the top, the view was breathtaking and I felt so accomplished after facing my fear of heights. However, my true fear was not Cloud’s Rest, but the hike we would be attempting on our last day… Half Dome.
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| Hike up to Cloud's Rest |
That night at camp we talked a lot about Half Dome, mostly about my nerves and how it wasn’t an option: I was getting to the top. When I talked out loud, I tried to sound as confident as I could. But inside my heart raced at the thought of how high I would be and the risks of falling or slipping. We celebrated our last night in the back country with a freeze-dried food fest and hot chocolate. When the rest of us headed to bed, Cory was able to finally fulfill his dreams of seeing and scaring off a bear. The rest of us may not have seen the bear, but were definitely entertained by the sounds of Cory scaring it off.
We rose at 5:30AM to clean up camp and head to the Sub Dome to begin our hike up Half Dome. Not too long after we began our hike Sheena and Steven forgot something and turned back which left Cory and I getting a head start on our hike. I knew this was part of God’s plan because it allowed for a lot of time of prayer and focus during this quiet time. After a while of incline, we finally reached the base of Sub Dome where Cory realized he forgot his permit and any form of identification. Luckily, the park ranger asked him a few questions and went ahead and let us through.
Stair after stair, we finally made it to the top of the Sub Dome and took a seat as the infamous Half Dome stared me straight in the eye. From where I was standing, it looked completely vertical and unattainable. I didn’t allow myself to stare too long, because I knew that in my mind it would only look bigger and bigger the longer I looked at it. So I tightened my boots, pinned back my hair, and we walked toward the cables.
After praying with our group and a few others, we didn’t hesitate starting up the cables. Steven went first, who was followed by Sheena, then myself and Cory. I gripped both sides of the cables and with each step I planted my feet firmly on the rock. My motto in life is to always “Take Pride in Little Victories” and I followed this with this challenge. Every 10 feet there was a piece of wood to stand on and each of those were my “little” victories ultimately leading me to one of my biggest accomplishments yet.
With my head down, I went up the cables quietly mostly because in my head I was praying and asking God to do it with me. In front I had encouragement from both Steven and Sheena, and behind me Cory was cheering me on the whole time. Before I knew it, I hear Steven yelling “This is really happening!” and I knew we were nearing the top. A rush of emotions, including excitement and adrenaline, flooded me as I made it to the top.
I still cannot explain the way I felt at that very moment because it was such a foreign feeling. I had never challenged myself in any way like that and the reward was so pure. And I know looking back why God placed Cory in my life. He not only prays and helps me through my fears, but he also challenges me to face my fears, to conquer them. In every aspect of my life, he teaches me not to put limits on myself mentally, physically, and spiritually because ultimately our God is limitless. At the top of Half Dome, it was the first time I truly challenged myself in all aspects, leaving me feeling simply limitless.
As if that epiphany wasn’t enough, more emotion was headed my way. After taking some pictures of Steven and Sheena out on the diving board, Cory and I headed out to do the same. After waiting for one of the two Brazilian couples for about five minutes, I heard the other couple yell something in Portuguese to the couple on the diving board, and they quickly hopped off. Then it was our turn, we walked out to the edge of the diving board and quickly posed for a few photos because I was anxious to get off of the ledge. When we finished, I went to turn around and walk away when Cory says, “Wait a minute. You just accomplished probably one of the scariest things you’ve ever done. With that, I have a question for you.” “No you don’t!” I spitted out of my mouth without hesitating as I am thinking, what could he possibly have to ask me on a ledge 3000 feet off the ground? He continued, “You are my best friend, and I love you more than anyone in this life. I don’t want to spend my life with anyone else.” Then before I could blink, he reached in his back pocket and got on his knee while tears ran down my face. “Julia Callahan, will you marry me?”
There I stood, thousands of feet off the ground after conquering my fears, the man I’ve prayed for since I was a little girl was on his knee asking to keep me forever. With cheering and screaming from people who were watching, I said yes to forever and yes to always with this incredible man God blessed me with.
I had dreamt about that moment for my whole life, and it is so beyond anything anyone can imagine or can explain. Just like my rush of emotions when I conquered Half Dome, I couldn’t quite explain how I felt other than feeling limitless. For lack of a better word or explanation, it actually was the perfect word or way to explain us.
Our marriage and relationship with each other will be limitless and we will both encourage one another than our relationships with our Heavenly Father are that way as well. I could say that Half Dome changed my life, but Half Dome is just one of the locations God used to provide that change. It’s the people and the challenge and accomplishments that truly change our lives.
I once read a quote that stated, “I found my heart upon a mountain I did not know I could climb, and I wonder how many other pieces of myself are secreted away in places I judge I cannot go.” Life is about learning and true learning is about experiencing life and the challenges it offers. Find someone who makes you live life limitlessly, I certainly found that person for me and he’s not just my best friend, he is the man I get to share forever with and every mountain and rock in between.
Cheers to Adventure and Cheers to Forever.
