November 3, 2019. The day we agreed on forever. It was everything and nothing like I imagined at the same time. Buckle in; it’s story time.
In a post for another day, I’ll get into the story of how we met, our relationship, and more, but for now, the story of our engagement started three months prior to November 3rd. On a work trip with other State Farm agents, Alan was questioned by his best friend and other agents about why he hadn’t proposed yet. Listen, I really do hate the badgering – there is nothing wrong with taking your time and being totally sure. Still, learning after the fact that he had been nudged, made me a little giddy (Thanks, Hannah + Jarred). After a loving push, Alan spent a day in Louisville drinking mimosas to gain the courage to build the breathtaking piece of jewelry I’ll wear forever.
The day of the proposal itself had been planned around swapping Christmas card photos with my photographer bestie, Sarah Dunn. Just before the magic happened, I snapped tons of photos of one of my favorite couples (see below). Not too shabby for totally staged session, right? I was taking my time, per usual, snapping lots of angles and poses, and Sarah kept nudging for me and Alan to get in front of the camera. But, like, I wasn’t done? I obviously wasn’t in on the secret and was over here trying to have a full photo session. Whoops.
I learned later that Alan had actually reached out to Sarah well before we chatted about Christmas card photos. The two met in his office to plan this epic day, and Sarah managed to play it so cool just a week later when we spent the whole day together at Keeneland. Alan and Sarah decided on Buffalo Trace, a stunning backdrop for this special moment, and that Sarah would ask us to model for portfolio work she needed of couples. I did, for a minute, think that she had plenty of couples – many more photogenic than us to showcase on her website none the less. Still, I was so excited at the chance to snag some updated photos of us, so I happily agreed.
The day before photos, Alan and I bickered the whole day. We essentially never fight, but it seemed like I couldn’t do anything right. I set off the alarm in his office trying to get a prop out of my studio for a photo session – he wasn’t too happy with me. But only because the bag for the jeweler was sitting out on his desk. His nerves were winning and I was totally in the dark.
If I’m being honest, this day almost didn’t happen. Not the engagement, but the whole epic proposal. The entire week leading up to this day was a disaster. I had been an anxious wreck in preparing to change jobs, teaching a class, and adjusting to life with a new puppy (Hi, Frank). The morning of, Alan didn’t complain at all about photos which was totally unusual. Normally, he would be begging not to go, but this day I heard no complaints. Further, he had the exact outfit I wanted him to wear dry-cleaned and ready to go. Still, I wasn’t suspicious at all living in my own head with a tension headache. Later, Alan told me he was worried if he complained that I would pull the plug on the whole day since he knew I already wasn’t feeling my best. I made a last minute judgment call to buy the dress in these photos (read: splurge) at a Draper James event I worked and I am SO glad I did.
On the drive to Buffalo Trace, we barely talked at all. Alan was in his own head preparing to ask a huge question, and I was running down a mental to-do list and trying calm my own stressors. Anxiety totally won when we all got to the distillery and I asked if it was cool if we ditched to tour we planned to take to just take photos and go somewhere else to grab food and drinks. Given the game plan, everyone was eager to agree with my suggestion, except Alan, who had planned to use the tour to think about what he wanted to say. Sorry, dude – no one told me.
After I tossed my own camera to the side and took off my spy kids watch (FitBit) to unsuspectingly take our engagement photos, we wandered around the gardens at Buffalo Trace – taking about 10 minutes of snuggly photos before the big moment. In the photos below, Sarah encouraged us to snuggle in tight and wrap each other up. Pulling Alan’s arms around my shoulders, I kept trying to place his hands gently over mine. He wouldn’t uncoil his balled up fist, despite my and Sarah’s prompting. What I didn’t know was that he already had the ring in his hand ready to go, but clearly got ready a little too soon.
We walked up on this little platform tucked into the greenery with the most perfect lighting. After cuddling for a few sweet photos, Sarah had me turn around. I was *pretty* certain what was happening at this point, but only had about 15 seconds facing away from everyone to compose myself and prepare for what might happen when I turned back around. When I finally did, I saw Alan wasn’t eye-level anymore and had dropped down to one knee. IT was happening. I let out such a snotty sob that Alan said, “Are you okay?” before he got to “Will you marry me?” Both shaking and me crying, he said, “Is that a yes?” I nodded through the happy tears and he slid the ring he was holding onto my finger – the first time I caught a glimpse. It was absolute perfection.
When Sarah said, “Okay, Sarah, now you turn and face this way,” I got a little suspicious. I am a photographer after all. 
Still, my surprised face speaks to exactly how I felt.
The most magical moment of all.
Immediately after it took place, I put all the pieces of the puzzle together in my mind to realize that Sarah and Max had been involved the whole time as part of this big plan. We both admitted we were about to throw up from all the emotion – it was definitely a “pinch me, I’m dreaming” moment, it almost didn’t feel real. I was without a doubt surprised. Alan and I have talked about the future at times, but never literally about our future marriage. We knew it was what we wanted, but I have always felt confident in this relationship that I didn’t need much reassurance as to what would happen with us. I knew it would come in time.
Being engaged to be married is funny. I don’t think marriage is the ultimate goal of all, and have never placed tons of emphasis on it. Still, to come home to someone I know without a doubt believes in our future together is something remarkable. Life is both different and the same as it was before this day, but I definitely have all the butterflies of excitement. Times that we drank a little too much and brainstormed great first dance songs and honeymoon destinations get to come true and I get a little teary-eyed just thinking about it. Alan and I have been through so much together these last four years, and I am so blessed to become his wife. Let the planning commence!
I’m not normally a big bling person, but DANG. He made a stunning piece of jewelry.
I can’t think Sarah enough for being part of this special day and plan that gave me the surprise of a lifetime. I am so happy she was there to share this moment with us.
