When Brett reached out about planning a proposal, I was overjoyed! I’ve known Brett for several years now. He’s been the second shooter at many of my weddings. I knew getting to witness this milestone moment for him and Grace would be something special to see. Brett set all the plans in place. He wanted to take Grace on a stroll through Mizzou campus during golden hour with his end destination at Peace Park. He mapped everything out and told me where to be. He wanted candids snapped as he and Grace strolled hand and hand through campus. I, along with my boyfriend, walked about 100 feet behind them throughout this stroll, trying to remain calm and unseen. Once in peace park, he paused at a bench where the two sat for a bit. We hid out in the bushes trying not to be seen or noticed by Grace.
The anticipation was killing me as I was waiting for Brett to get up from the bench for the big moment. After what seemed like a lifetime, which was only about 5 or 6 minutes after checking the time stamps on the photos, Brett got up from the bench and grabbed Grace’s hand. He preceded to get down on one knee and asked her to marry him. All the while, I snapped away as the joyous occasion unfolded. I couldn’t stop smiling from behind the camera as the proposal was happening! Seeing Grace’s reaction to the proposal was so adorable. Her giddiness was infectious. Brett looked to us with a big thumbs up after she said “YES!”
After the proposal, we congratulated the happy pair and took some celebratory “just engaged” portraits! I loved their sweet connection. One word came to mind while documenting this darling pair. Joyful! These two radiate happiness. Their smiles never faded and the laughter was ever present! Their love is quite evident. It’s one that you can’t help but smile when you are around it. Their love is pure and unguarded. It’s real, and it’s something special to see! It really was such a privilege to witness such a milestone moment for these two! I could’t be happier for this sweet couple. I know they are going to enjoy this new season of engagement!
How They Met
Brett and Grace met when they were both kids at church. They were just a couple of kids singing songs in their children’s choir! Fast forward many years, and Brett and Grace would begin hanging out in group settings with mutual friends. It wasn’t until one particular evening, when the two would finally hang out one on one, that a romance would begin to blossom. Brett and Grace went and watched two or three movies at the theaters in Columbia. Once they saw those movies, they just kept talking for hours one night. Brett knew then how special Grace was and had to ask her out as soon as he could muster the courage.
They would begin dating shortly after in December. Brett knew pretty early on that Grace was the one for him! Every little thing that she would do to show she cared about him, every time she looked in Brett’s eyes and smiled, he just knew. He enjoyed all the little things with Grace. Her consistency stood out to him. She would show up every day, no matter what. Brett knew he had found someone truly special!
How He Asked
It was a day of fun at the St. Louis Art Museum and Forest Park. Brett and Grace were on their way back from an out of state wedding they attended for friends. They had the whole day planned out with little adventures in St. Louis. Grace knew a proposal was going to happen soon, she just didn’t know when. She was anxiously anticipating the big moment! Once they started driving back to Columbia, Grace had lost hope that it was going to happen at these romantic places away from home. To her surprise, Brett was eager to go on a walk in 86-degree weather. She was confused but so elated when she saw Brett go down to one knee in Peace Park on Mizzou campus.
