Near full moon over Surfers Paradise Beach – view from our resort room at Surfers Paradise Marriott

My partner and I were lucky to pick up a good deal on a 3-night getaway package to the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa last week. Three nights of 5 star luxury and getting away from it all.

The rooms were luxurious. I had never, ever stayed in a place like this before let alone a romantic couple days away with someone I love. Living in recovery has given me so many opportunities I had never dreamed of.

Our view of Surfers Paradise Beach from our room

View of the resort lagoon/swimming pool complex from our room

Me in one of the many waterfall areas surrounding the pool

View from our hotel room looking towards the Nerang River
Never in a million years did I ever think what took place on the Thursday night before we went out for dinner would ever happen to me, especially with someone as wonderful as my partner. Check it out.
I proposed, she said ‘yes’ and we’re engaged! We had picked out an engagement ring just before Christmas but I still had a couple of payments left to make. As a last minute thing on Wednesday, the day we were leaving, I picked up the ring early, without her knowing, and hid it in my backpack, hoping that my partner wouldn’t go rummaging through it when we arrived at the resort. I set up my phone to capture the proposal so I could share the moment with my family and friends and she didn’t have a clue what was going on. I got down on bended knee and asked her and she said ‘yes’. I am totally stoked. Living with an addiction inhibits so many ‘normal’ life experiences, where the focus of your life is when are you going to get your next hit. Since becoming sober nearly four years ago, I have experienced so many wonderful moments, they far outweigh any high I got from marijuana.
We’re planning a wedding in May 2016. I’ll probably stay in the background, hand over the wallet and just say ‘yes’. My partner deserves this happiness just as much as I do.