Surprise Proposal

This past Monday evening Drew contacted me regarding a very special photography assignment.  He wanted me to photograph him proposing to his long-time sweetheart, Jennifer.

Drew carefully planned this special moment.  He knew when and where he wanted to do it.  He did some research and found out the time the sun bids farewell to another day.  He made hot chocolate.  And he called on me to photograph it.

I love that.

I love it when a guy puts this much thought and time into planning a special surprise for the woman he loves.

He told her they were meeting up with friends for dinner.  He wanted to stop by the sunset before they headed into town.  Whether or not she suspected anything remains to be known…for Jennifer loves Drew and a woman who loves a man never lets on that she knows.

So, on one of the last days of the year, Drew and Jennifer drove through the curvy roads of the gorge…the woods Drew grew up running through.  The warm sun was low in the sky, scraping the edge of the earth and casting long shadows across the road until finally they reached the trailhead.  Undoubtedly one of their favorite walks.

With little time left, they started down the path, strolling towards the sun…perhaps talking about the upcoming year…what it would bring…making plans for time spent together.  Small talk.  This is what people in love do.  Small talk.

Reaching a pre-planned location, they sat down to enjoy the sunset.  Drew pulled out the hot chocolate.  Me…well, I was away from them…camera pointing in the opposite direction.  I tried not to glance over my shoulder, fearing she would notice.  I listened…and then I heard…”Well, I have a question for you…” and then it was showtime…with my camera on quiet mode, I slowly worked around them.  She was oblivious to me.  I snuck around to get that amazing sunset flare.  He asked.  She said yes.  They kissed.  They hugged.  They laughed.  She said she didn’t know.  He smiled.  The turned to the sunset to remember the moment.  And then they sat down and had hot chocolate.

And then…just as quietly as the sun dipping below the horizon…I left with a handful of ever so precious moment stolen inside my camera.

This job never gets old.