How we met: We were mutual friends, co-workers who flirted and started to see each other. He quickly became my best friend who I saw everyday. Winter turned to spring and suddenly I was standing outside looking into the eyes of the kindest soul I could think of and he was telling me he was falling in love with me. Spring turned to summer and he was meeting my family and I was thinking that I liked the way he made my brother laugh, and how comfortable he was with my family instantly, and how sweet and patient he was when my dad taught him to water ski. And my heart fluttered but it also felt like coming home. There was no defining moment, just hundreds of small, insignificant ones that added up and one day I couldn’t picture my life without this wonderful man in it. Like every little bit of love I could feel was all pushing on my heart at once when I would think of him. And then I knew. He was the one. The one who could make me laugh when I wanted to cry, who loves my nephews and family like they are his own. The one I want to come home to after every horrible shift and every wonderful day. The one who I will build a family with. The one who belongs with me because being a part feels wrong. My joy, my love, my world.
how they asked: It was the perfect day. It started out just like an ordinary day. I woke up and got ready for the day and Shawn came over to take our dog, Paisley for a walk. When he returned we decided to open our Christmas stockings before going skating and then to my parent’s for my family Christmas. Shawn was exceptionally giddy today, encouraging me to “get ready quick!” so we could go and see my family sooner. We got to market square downtown and found a spot on the bleachers where Shawn helped me tie up my skates. I felt so excited and there was an extra spark in the air that I couldn’t place. We began skating hand in hand, laughing and talking about this and that. We skated for about 5 or 6 laps, I was completely oblivious to the 2 photographers Shawn had hired to capture the upcoming moment. Completely engrossed in the moment and time I was spending with my love. Shawn slowed down and spun me in a little circle, looked into my eyes and said, “I love you.” He kissed me and said he wanted to ask me a question. Everything around us faded away and in that moment it felt like we were the only two people in the world. I answered with “Are you serious?” and he proceeded to drop to one knee right there on the ice where he asked me to marry him. Through blurred, tearful eyes I managed to get out a “YES!” and he stood up and I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him. He put the most beautiful, sparkly, perfect ring on my finger and everyone who witnessed our perfect moment cheered. I will cherish that memory forever. I am so blessed to call him my fiance, and can’t wait to be his wife forever.
Photos by Life Through Exposure Photography