Bethany Hamilton, who wrote the experience of losing her arm to a shark attack in her book ‘Soul Surfer,’ is engaged to Adam Dirks.
On Thursday, Hamilton wrote on her Facebook page, "One year ago today, I met an amazing man, now we will spend the rest of our lives together and I'm soo excited! I love you Adam!"
Hamilton met the love of her life through a blind date on which the pair went cliff jumping in Hawaii.
"The first thing we did was jump off a cliff together! And you could say it was love at first cliff jump," she wrote on her blog, adding that their relationship was "an amazing and blessed adventure."
"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." Hamilton wrote.
Dirks, originally from Hillsboro, Kans., now works for a Christian ministry Young Life in Hawaii.
Adam wrote on his blog, "Bethany, I am so excited for our adventure together for the rest of our lives. I promise to respect you, grow closer to Christ together, and to always love you through the hard times and to celebrate with you in all the awesome times. I love you!"
When Hamilton was 13, she was attacked by a tiger shark while surfing on Kauai's North Shore. Though her left arm was severed in the attack and she lost over 60% of her blood, she went on to become a professional surfer in 2007 — and, on tour with the Association of Surfing Professionals, is ranked among the top women surfers.
Lifeguards and doctors believe her strong water sense and faith in God helped get her through the traumatic ordeal.
Her book was turned into the movie "Soul Surfer," which starred Dennis Quaid and Carrie Underwood, in 2010. Her character was played by AnnaSophia Robb.
