WE'RE ENGAGED | Proposal Story (and ring details)
On Monday October 2, 2017 I was headed to Bar Harbor with my Mom to photograph two sessions. At the end of my senior session at sunset I look back and see this handsome man walking towards me. First thought was, "what the heck - Bar Harbor is a 3+ hour drive from our house" then I realized. As I looked over at my Mom she had tear filled eyes and asked to have my camera. That's when Cole got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course, I said YES.
This is the face of a girl who is ridiculously happy.
I'm a hard girl to surprise and yet somehow he still managed to sweep me off my feet. Probably because this proposal was a surprise for everyone. The morning of October 2, 2017, Cole received a text from my Mom. Letting him know that she had a very real dream that he showed up at the end of my session in Bar Harbor. So Cole thought, "hmm.. that sounds like a good idea." He said he had been planning the proposal for the following Saturday but the spontaneous trip to Bar Harbor sounded like a better idea. And I'm so glad he did.
Side note: my two best friend's also claim to have a dream about our proposal the same night. The universe was definitely pulling for us!
And, the ring. It's literally my dream ring and everything I ever wanted (partially because I might have had some say) but mostly because Cole knows me so perfectly he could have never gone wrong.
But this is where it all began...
Back in November of 2016 my Dad passed away. When you go through something like that, it makes it very clear what is important in life. I remember just days after he passed, Cole and I were driving on the highway and I looked at him and said, "I want to marry you. Life is too damn short. And I want to spend the rest of mine with you." Going through one of the hardest times in your life either makes or breaks a relationship. To me, it became even clearer that Cole was the one. The way he stood by my side through every step. How he quietly supported me and held my hand when words just simply weren't enough. The way he honors my Dad through loving me. The way his family instantly became mine. And it doesn't hurt that my Dad was absolutely in love with Cole and quite often asked us when this day would happen. So even though my heart aches that he isn't here to celebrate with us, I know in my heart that he is with us every step of the way.
Ok, more about the ring...
We spent my birthday that year looking at rings and figuring out what I liked (and didn't like). But in the back of my mind I always envisioned my Dad helping with this process. One of his good friends, someone I grew up knowing, is a gem wholesaler. (Cool job right?) My Dad and I had conversations about him working with Cole and Scott to help bring my dream ring to life. So in February of 2017 we met with Scott to talk about what that looked like. It was so special to have this connection to my Dad and his close friend in creating such an important symbol of our love.
So Scott came back to us with three different options for me. I chose this gorgeous peach champagne oval sapphire you see here sitting on a rose gold band. It is the most beautiful thing I could ever imagine. And it's so special to both of us that it's custom made by someone so close to our family.
We are over the moon excited to be engaged and officially begin our forever together. We want to thank everyone for the kind words and well wishes. We can't wait to celebrate with everyone!
