He’s a quiet guy. Shy, but oh-so romantic. A writer, a lover of classic literature. She’s a teacher. That’s where they met: in the halls of an elementary school. She loves history, reading, and warm cups of coffee. It’s not uncommon to find her students’ papers dabbled with drops of it. He knows all this about himself. He knows this about her, too. He knows them well. One afternoon just a few days before Christmas, he brought her to a small garden in the middle of town not far from where he grew up, just a few miles from where they met. The aroma of the herbs greeted them at the front gate. And they walked, hand in hand, through rows and rows of crops, past tangerine trees and along gates keeping goats — yes, there were goats — stopping occasionally to look, ponder, and hold each other. He’s been looking for someone with his sense of wonder about the world for some time, and he found it in her. Stroll they did, one step at a time, pointing at what they found interesting, laughing at each other’s jokes, and reflecting on God’s creation.
When they reached the far end of the property, he led her into a small opening of trees. A small table awaited them. A pitcher of hot coffee and two mugs on one side. An envelope on the other. A blanket hanging on the back of her chair that soon found itself wrapped around her shoulders. He poured the coffee, one mug at a time, and they clinked porcelain, toasting the moment, celebrating each other. What a whirlwind six months it had been. And they found quiet, in the heart of Christmas, amidst the rush of family and friends, against the hustle and bustle of shopping and parties. Quiet. Something they loved as individuals, and now love together, being completely connected without saying a word.
Then, the envelope. He beckoned for her to open it. It was a letter. Remember, he’s a writer. And she did, but not without spilling a few drops of coffee on it first. Her signature move and his written signature. There couldn’t have been a more perfect or poetic moment. It was so… them. She started with the first line — My dearest Dani… — and like loyal foot soldiers, the tears followed quickly behind, falling from her face and mixing with the coffee stains she’d already made on the thick parchment. She didn’t look up as she read, and that was a good thing, because as she moved from the front to the back, nearing herself to the end, he was readying himself for the beginning… of a life together. Under the table, out of her view, he reached into his left pocket, pulled out a diamond ring, and clenched it in his fist. He pushed himself out of his chair with both hands, and as she finished and looked up with her wet eyes, he reached for hers, and asked the question she knew was coming but couldn’t believe was happening: Will you marry me?
Dani and Will, we love you both and feel so blessed that we had the privilege of documenting this special moment in your life. Cheers to you and a lifetime of happiness to come!
If you liked this wedding proposal, you might also like Nikki and Paul’s gondola proposal or Melissa and Braedon’s mountaintop proposal.
the GEAR USED for this SESSION…
Canon 5D Mark III
Canon 50 1.2
Canon 70-200 2.8
Entire Gear List
