This is not a love story of my own, but one I thought I had to share...
A 4AM start at 4200 meters
We left in the dark, bundled up in layers, headlamps flickering across the trail. It was 4 in the morning, and we were setting off from our tea house perched at 4200 meters. Everyone was quiet - some tired, some saving breath in the thin air, all of us just focused on the climb ahead.
As the sky slowly changed from black to deep blue, then to the soft pinks and oranges of sunrise, it felt like we were walking through something sacred. The snow-covered peaks came into view, glowing in the early light. We barely spoke, all of us soaking it in.
Reaching the pass: 5106 meters of pride
By the time we reached the pass - 5106 meters high - the exhaustion gave way to euphoria. We’d made it. Every step, every cramp, every cold night had brought us here. There was hugging, quiet crying (Jet), taking photos of each other and this shared sense of we did it.
It already felt like a special day. And then, Jordy changed everything.
The most unexpected Yes
Brendan and Emily (the couple we have been traveling the Manaslu trail with) asked someone to take their photo in front of the Manaslu sign. Of course, us girls being girls, we all took our phones out, trying to catch the best possible angle. Nothing suspicious. But then, as they were posing for the shot, Brendan dropped to one knee.
Out came the ring.
Out came the question.
And yes - out came the answer.
It was honestly one of the most romantic things I’ve ever witnessed. The mountains behind them, the sun hitting just right, the emotional high of reaching the top still buzzing in the air. Jet and I looked at each other and both welled up. It was impossible not to.
Here’s the detail that made it even sweeter: the ring wasn’t the “real” one. Brendan had been working on designing a special ring for months, but it wasn’t ready yet. So he picked up a simple ring from one of the small villages along the trek - a placeholder, chosen on the journey itself. It wasn’t about the ring. It was about that moment on that mountain with their love.
From romance to rockslides
Not long after the proposal, we had to start descending - a steep, snow-covered trail down to 3900 meters. Emily, who’s not a fan of steep hikes, didn't seem very anxious. I am sure she was still riding the wave of excitement and euphoria.
We went from giggling, tearful celebration mode to total concentration. Every step had to be careful and deliberate.
At one point, as we crossed to the other side of the mountain, I started feeling off - tight chest, a headache creeping in. The trail wasn’t going down, which made me panic a bit. The idea of staying at that altitude too long made my thoughts spiral.
Thankfully, the trail eventually dropped - and as it did, so did the pressure. The headache disappeared like snow under sunlight.
Back to warmth and celebration
Once we reached the next tea house, we were cold and tired, but as soon as we settled in the common area around the heater, the joy returned. We scrolled through the proposal photos like proud friends and chatted about the proposal.
Funny thing is - Emily had been expecting a proposal somewhere, just not here. They had talked about it, so it wasn’t a total surprise. But with Brendan feeling unwell the days before - blocked sinuses and a pounding headache - she didn’t think this would be the moment. But he pulled through. And as we descended the mountain, his headache eased, his body relaxed, and the smile didn’t leave either of their faces.
That night, Brendan and Emily shared a celebratory dessert with us: a deep-fried Snickers roll. Yes, really. A Snickers bar, wrapped in dough and fried until golden. We each had a bite, and it was just as sweet and ridiculous as it sounds. Thoughtful too - sharing something silly and special with all of us, like we were part of their story.
And in a way, we were.
They’ve always struck us as such a beautiful couple. Emily has this light, infectious smile that stays with you, and Brendan has a thoughtful, steady way of caring for her. He picks flowers for her to wear in her hair. She cheers him on whenever he’s chasing a new hobby. It’s the kind of love that feels easy and natural - they just fit.
It felt like a privilege to witness a moment that big, that personal, at the top of the world.
