2017 Best of Engagements

I’ll never, ever forget the moment Jerrin got down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of our lives together. I didn’t even realize he was on one knee because I was sitting and the reality of what was happening hadn’t set in. I remember looking at his face as he pushed the picture frame he had made that said the words, “Marry Me” in front of me as my mouth hung open in surprise. He said my name, and after that it’s kind of a blur, literally, because my eyes filled with tears instantly. He held a sparkly ring in his hand and I gasped, just adding to the fluttering of the butterflies in my stomach. I’m sure everyone around could have heart our hearts beating out of our chests, and as he spoke his voice cracked as he held back tears. I smiled so big as my face turned red and blotchy (I’m one of those ugly criers), and I took my paintbrush and checked the box that said “Yes” on the frame. I said it again to reassure myself that the moment was real, and we held each other so tight and I cried, again. We called our families and headed over to my parents’ house, who were anxiously waiting to give us hugs. I remember saying in the car, “You’re not my boyfriend anymore! Your my fiancé. Oh my gosh.” I loved telling everyone and I loved that we were engaged, but the thought of marrying my best friend in the whole world made me happier than I had ever been! But what I didn’t know was that was the happiest I had been so far in my life, and there would be so many moments to follow where I would be just as elated, if not more, like my wedding day. Like the days we got our puppies. When we bought our first house, and our second. The day I found out I was pregnant. The day our daughter was born. Each of these days were so special, and I’m constantly reminded of the song lyrics, “And I thought I loved you then…” This is why I love capturing this time in my couples’ lives, the engaged period. Because this short time is so fleeting, it’s so exciting, but I know it will only get better from there! It’s a time focused so much on the future, so I love freezing these moments as they’re just a small piece of the shortest season in a couple’s relationship. I love asking my couples to take in holding each other in a pose, because this is a day they will always remember and before they can blink it will be over. So here’s to these sweet embraces I’ve witnessed this past year during a season where only the bride wore a ring and had a different last name. Because it goes by so fast, and it’s the happiest they have ever been…so far.