Bethany Hamilton has found the one whom her soul loves.
Hamilton, a professional surfer who lost her left arm in a shark attack, will tie the knot with her boyfriend of one year, Christian youth minister Adam Dirks.
The 23-year-old announced the engagement on her blog in May, saying she knew Dirks was the one after he agreed to go cliff diving into the ocean with her on their very first date.
“The first thing we did was jump off a cliff together!” and adds, “I know Adam and I are right for each other and that God has us together for Him. Neither of us is perfect, but in my eyes Adam is just right and I’m thankful to have someone so perfectly perfect to share life with as one.”
According to People Magazine , Dirks proposed to Hamilton on April 9, 2012 and the two have since been prepping for their wedding day with counseling and prayer.
“Adam and I have been taking steps to prepare for a healthy beautiful marriage,” Hamilton wrote on her blog. “We take marriage seriously. Right now things are lovey-dovey and it’s fun and beautiful, but we want our love to remain through thick and thin. When we have hard times, we can rely on Christ and grow closer and stronger in our love and relationship. We know we can only prepare so much, but look forward to learning and growing together as we share life – to love beyond just a feeling.”
No word yet on Bethany and Adam’s official wedding date.
Hamilton was just 13 years old when her left arm was severed in an attack by a tiger shark when she was surfing in the North Shore in Kauai, Hawaii.
Despite her significant challenges, Bethany was determined to return to surfing. She went on to become a professional surfer and is now ranked among the top 50 women surfers in the world.
After going pro in 2007, Hamilton decided to share her story with the world in a book titled Soul Surfer .
The book was eventually turned into a movie with the same name, which starred Dennis Quaid and Carrie Underwood, in 2010.
Bethany’s character was played by AnnaSophia Robb.
