A couple from Pennsylvania has taken their love to new heights by getting engaged at their favourite rock climbing gym. On April 20, Xavier Almodovar proposed to Liliana Inkpen at Climb Nittany in Boalsburg, with a unique twist: he created a custom climbing route spelling out the words “Marry Me?”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Rock-Climbing-Wall-Proposal-042926-1-11d07cf49b0f43628af5341bbb36b383.jpg)
Reflecting on the moment, Almodovar shared, “I knew she was going to say yes, but I still wanted the moment to be magical for her.” His careful planning and the secretive nature of the proposal were essential in creating a memorable engagement for Inkpen, who admitted to feeling both “shocked and excited” upon seeing the climbing wall with the unexpected question.
Almodovar and Inkpen’s relationship began during their sophomore year of high school, after they started dating on Valentine’s Day six years ago. Now seniors at Penn State University, the couple has a deep emotional connection to the climbing gym, which they consider a special place. “I did it there because surprising Liliana is super hard. She knows me so well, and this was one place she wouldn’t be suspicious,” Almodovar said.
The proposal was meticulously planned; Almodovar consulted with his friends and coworkers to ensure everything turned out perfectly. After securing Inkpen’s father’s blessing, he collaborated with his boss and fellow routesetter to craft the unique climbing route just a week before the special occasion.
On the day of the proposal, Almodovar arranged for Inkpen and their close friends—Aidan Campbell, Victoria Stetz, and Christopher Jasper—to join him for a private climbing session at the gym after hours. To keep the element of surprise intact, he instructed the group to fill out their waivers beforehand, ensuring their phones would be ready to capture the moment.
“I felt super nervous,” Almodovar recounted, as the anticipation built up before he officially proposed. “And then I went to Inkpen and told her that I made a special route just for her.” As he guided her towards the climbing wall, he could sense the mood shifting. “At that moment, I am pretty sure she knew what was going to happen.”
In a twist of emotions, Almodovar dropped to one knee in front of the climber’s wall. “I asked her to marry me!” he said, recalling the moment he presented the question. Inkpen described the experience as “surreal,” admitting her belief that a proposal would take place during graduation week, not imagining it would happen earlier.
As anticipation turned into reality, Almodovar admitted that the moment did not feel real but was filled with excitement. Both excited for what the future holds, the couple revealed their plans following graduation next month. Inkpen aims to pursue a master’s degree in applied statistics at Penn State, while Almodovar prepares to serve as an active-duty field artillery officer in the U.S. Army.
The couple’s love story continues to inspire others, and their engagement at the climbing gym serves as a reminder of how personal touches can lead to unforgettable moments. As they embark on their new chapter together, Almodovar and Inkpen are eager to take the next step in their journey as a couple, both embarking on new adventures in their personal and professional lives.