Nashville, U.S.A.

 

Love Is Worth The Wait

Nashville, U.S.A. - February 20, 2007

There are a lot of places I have written blogs over the past year; from dusty Peruvian buses to the glistening Australian beach to the chilling Nepalese altitude. But tonight, instead of writing this blog in an obscure internet cafe, I have the privilege of composing this letter in the comfort of my cozy apartment in Nashville, Tennessee, with my brand new wife, Traci, by my side.

There is a saying that the best things in life come to those who wait. For me, there couldn't be a statement that rings more true in my life right now. Although I have been able to travel to 5 continents and 30 countries in the past year, I can honestly say that I have never felt more excitement in my life than what I feel right now.

In the past few months, I returned home early from across the globe to surprise my wife, got engaged, planned a wedding in 5 weeks, got married New Years Eve, planned and enjoyed a 3 week honeymoon, set up a business, worked on four projects, packed and moved from Seattle, packed and moved Traci from Kansas City and discovered and moved into an apartment in Nashville.

Amazing wedding photos by Ben DeRienzoAnd yet even though our lives are completely chaotic at the moment, we have both never felt so much peace about where we are, and have never felt more confidence that this is exactly where God wants us. It's actually hilarious to me what love can do to someone. As I write this, I am literally sitting in a sea of unopened boxes, squeezed into a one-person chair with my wife (our only piece of furniture) with no idea of what the future will look like. But this by far the best time in my entire life.

I truly believe that God's timing is perfect. And just as I felt a calling in May 2005 to go on this adventure with my friend Patrick, I felt an equal calling to return home to the woman of my dreams in late November 2006. There is so much more I will share in the coming weeks about the incredible adventure I have had over the past year (and answer many questions you might have). But for the moment, I wanted to share this very exciting news, and have asked my wife, Traci, to share a bit of our recent engagement story in the blog below.

Thank you all for your prayers, your encouragement and your support through the peaks and valleys. This has truly been one of the most amazing adventures of my life... and it's really just beginning.

Lee

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The Perfect Proposal

Nashville, U.S.A. - February 20, 2007

Moments after the proposalLee and I didn't exactly have the typical courtship. We'd spent more than a year apart with five continents and 30 countries separating us. He'd been traveling (a lifelong dream of his), while I stayed back, missing him like crazy in the States.

One morning, November 22, 2006 to be exact, after a late night of talking on the phone, I woke up excited, as he told me there would be a special surprise arriving in the morning. I got ready to begin my day as I thought of him finishing his in South Africa.

Sure enough, after breakfast, my mom (who was in on the surprise) told me there was a box on the porch. Inside the box I found a DVD, a beautiful postcard, and best of all, a sweet love note. I watched the DVD of Lee in the Tokyo airport telling me the first of many clues for a scavenger hunt. He always planned the best surprises, so I couldn't wait!

Later, he called one more time to make sure the package had arrived. And then I was on my way to find the first clue. Each clue led us to a place where Lee and I had a special date and also included a small gift. But the final clue was the best of all as it led to my favorite chapel. When I walked in, I saw the aisle lined with candles and filled with rose petals, and one of our songs, "If You're Not the One," began playing. One dozen perfect red roses and a small note sat on a podium illuminated by spotlights. As I walked down the aisle to the flowers and note, I assumed the surprise was over.

But there was a knock at the side door, and I approached, expecting a friend with another gift. I never thought it would be Lee! After all, he just called from Africa this morning! I opened the door, and there he was, dressed in a suit with a huge smile. I dropped everything and screamed! He got down on one knee and said he couldn't stay away one second longer. He was home to stay and asked me if I'd marry him!

The story he told of his journey home blew me away. He traveled across the globe in a week sleeping in airports at Tokyo, Helsinki, Russia (deported BACK to Helsinki), Paris, London, Chicago, Champaign. Staying up ALL night, he prepared each clue and gift. The next morning he and his mom drove seven hours to Missouri. He went to each business, met with managers and planted clues. The next day, after calling "from Africa," he went to the chapel. Setting our song on repeat for over an hour, he hid in the small side room until I arrived! Astoundingly, the song started as soon as I walked in the chapel! The dream continued, as we were married just five weeks later on New Years Eve.

Traci Steffen

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Lee Heads West

Nashville, U.S.A. - May 17, 2005

My first real journey began by saying goodbye to Nashville, TN, a city that I have become quite fond of over the past 3 years. I will definitely miss Nashville... the Southern twang, Georgia Peach pancakes at the Pancake Pantry, Sushi lunch buffet at RuSans, sweet tea and Baja Burrito. But what I will TRULY miss most are the amazing friendships that I have made in this city.
I have had more meaningful relationships in 3 years in this city than any other time of my life...people that have challenged me, encouraged me, inspired me and loved me. There is no question that I will miss that most.

My next journey began just a day ago, as I set out west towards Seattle. As I write this, I am in the middle of Wyoming in a nifty little Hampton Inn. Apparently, this is one of the Top 10 Hampton Inns in the country! Who would have guessed it would be HERE of all places? (Of course there could be some bias here, since I was just made aware of that little fact by the guest receptionist).

My drive so far has been incredibly inspiring. Yesterday, I strategically planned my route so I could see Mt. Rushmore, and it was well worth the detour. The beauty of the landscape is far too great to explain in words and far too expansive to capture in a photo. (I will say that I am now a bit envious of Ted Turner who owns nearly a million acres near these parts). Every possible hue of color was represented in the rolling meadows I drove by earlier. I was so enthralled by what I was seeing I literally almost drove my car right off the road attempting to snag a photo or ten while driving. It was just too great to pass up the opportunity.

The photo on the left is from my first day driving through Iowa. I was so captivated by these giant windmills, the way they simultaneously embody gracefulness and power.

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Goodbye Belongings...

Nashville, U.S.A. - April 09, 2005

My big reality check that this trip is actually happening is hitting me right now, as I lay alone in an empty bedroom about to fall asleep on a rather uncomfortable sleeping bag.
Minutes before the sale.Today was the day that I sold almost everything I own in preparation for the trip. Although there were a few items that I hated to get rid of, I feel actually feel quite liberated right now. It is as if a weight of materialism has been lifted off my shoulders that has hung there for 26 years. To anyone debating a "life-cleaning," I highly recommend it. You will not be disappointed.

Here are a few things I learned from my day:
1. If you plan on opening the doors a sale to start at 8am, people will show up as early as 6am. There is a freakish group of yard sale fanatics out there that will do literally anything for a bargain.

2. Craigslist.org is amazing (a bunch of the people that came through found out about it through our Craigslist posting).

3. An item marked at $1 is still grounds for negotiation.

4. A free table works wonders for getting rid of junk. People will take anything when there are no strings attached.

A big thank you to Traci, Michael, Craig, Stephanie and Christa for your huge help today. There is no way I would have been able to do this without you guys!

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