I had the best time over labor day weekend with Macyn, Anthony, and their adorable golden pup louie. I met them at Capen park for an evening filled with lots of laughter! These two are so sweet to each other and their undeniable connection is so fun to watch. Photographing their love was quite literally effortless. Their doggo came on his best behavior and stole the show for the first half of the session! Macyn and Anthony treat him like a kid of their own. I had so much fun documenting all the shenanigans as we tried to get Louie to look at the camera.
I love photographing couples before the wedding day! It’s a blast capturing their love during this sweet season of engagement. Their smiles were endless and their giggles were infectious. I loved how they could both get each other cracking up laughing. Macyn and Anthony are such an adorable pair! They were such naturals as we strolled around Capen Park taking in the beautiful scenery. Even when it began to sprinkle for a short period of time, Macyn and Anthony didn’t skip a beat. They just kept enjoying the session, despite the light rain. We ended our time in downtown Columbia. We strolled along and hit some great locations before the sun went down. Macyn and Anthony absolutely killed their session. I cannot wait to have these two back in front of my camera for their big day!
How They Met
Macyn and Anthony first saw each other the first week of their freshman year at William Jewell College, but they did not officially meet until the end of freshman year. They were both hanging out with their friends who were dating, and they introduced Macyn and Anthony. Needless to say, they both went into that summer with a new crush, but they did not keep in touch. On move-in day for their sophomore year, Macyn and Anthony quickly realized they lived only two doors down the hall from each other. When they first started talking, they didn’t have each others numbers. They were both so scared to make the first move so they would write little notes and leave them at the others door. They immediately became very close and then eventually started dating.
Their very first official date was in the Fall of 2018 at the Fall Festival in Liberty, Missouri, which was hosted in downtown Liberty right next to their college campus. It was nearly the perfect fall evening to walk around downtown liberty while enjoying some popcorn and funnel cakes. Macyn and Anthony ran into several people they knew, but they were both happy it was just their date and their time.
Macyn: “I knew I was feeling something for Anthony because I was super excited and nervous all at the same time. I couldn’t pick an outfit, but I wanted to match his vibe. I think I talked about going on that date for the entire week prior to actually going on the date. I had first date flutters for Anthony. Those flutters eventually calmed down a bit once we were on the date. When we were walking around and talking and learning so much about each other I felt very comfortable, as if I was just talking to my best friend. I didn’t want to be there with anyone else. Then, I think I talked about that date for a whole month following the actual date.”
Anthony: “For our first date, I was just as excited and nervous as Macyn, but in a much different way. It wasn’t “talk about it to your friends all week” nervous, it was “holy crap I’m taking the most beautiful girl on campus on a date” nervous. But the amazing thing about Macyn is the second we were together for our first date, all of those nerves went away instantly. While we were both nervous, we both made each other comfortable. I remember running into our friends, but the only thing that really stuck out to me that night was her. She was 100% herself, and didn’t try to act a certain way that she thought I might “like”. We had the best time together, and when we left each other the only thing I could think about was when I could see her next.”
The One
Macyn: “To preface my story, there is this wooden porch swing at Jewell and it is said if you sit on it with someone you like or love you will marry them. I first knew Anthony was the one after we stopped and sat on “the swing” at Jewell while walking back to our dorm after dinner one night at the end of our sophomore year. We just sat on the swing and said nothing. We each knew what the other was thinking or wanted to say, yet we didn’t have to say anything at all. I remember calling my mom, Vicki, and talking to her about Anthony and that moment and the swing and telling her “I am going to marry that man.” My thoughts of knowing he was the one we’re also confirmed when Anthony went to play baseball in the state of California the summer going into our senior year at William Jewell. I thought I would be fine and could handle him being away. My family can confirm I was not happy while he was gone and I missed him very much. It was at the end of that summer I was reassured he was the one for me.”
Anthony: “I hate to be cheesy and say I knew Macyn was the one immediately, but she just was, ya know? I feel at home with Macyn, I feel like I can tell Macyn anything and can truly speak my mind. I knew Macyn was the one when I started to spend more time around her and her family. I felt welcomed and a part of the family from the first time I was around them. Her unconditional love for each of her family members showed me how amazing her heart is, and how her family raised an amazing woman that I knew I wanted to be with every day for the rest of my life.”
How He Asked
The day of the proposal was sort of a whirlwind for Macyn. That morning, she was packing and preparing because she and Anthony were getting ready to move from Missouri to Memphis, Tennessee, in less than two days. Macyn was nervous and anxious and, honestly, just not in the best mood because she was somewhat scared to move away. They were headed to Liberty, Missouri, to meet up with some of their friends before moving away. Anthony told Macyn he had to pick up a baseball award he had gotten at William Jewell before meeting their friends. Macyn and Anthony talked about getting engaged and married on the way to Jewell, and Anthony pretty much told her it was not going to be any time soon. So, Macyn was a little disappointed and upset.
As they were pulling on to campus, Anthony pulled over to park near “the swing” and said, “I know what will cheer you up!” Macyn was a little reluctant at first to go on a walk and sit on the swing, but Anthony managed to convince her to get out of the car. Sitting under the swing was a basket and a note. The note was filled with thoughtful words and reassurance of Anthony’s love for Macyn and the future he wanted for them. The last words on the note read “there is something I have been meaning to ask you.” Macyn looked down and there he was on one knee asking Macyn to marry him. She was completely shocked but remembers that moment being one of the happiest days of her life.
Anthony is thankful for everyone who made the proposal possible and helped it go off without a hitch. Macyn did not have a CLUE they would be getting engaged that day. All the while, Anthony was experiencing every emotion under the sun. So many people had done so much to make the day go smoothly. Anthony had it all planned down to the minute, so all that was left to do was execute! It killed Anthony to have to try so hard to stray Macyn away from any idea of them getting married, because all he wanted to do was ask her as soon as possible.
Despite a few close calls, it was the most amazing day. It meant so much to Anthony to ask Macyn in such a meaningful place to them and before they took such a huge step moving to Tennessee. When Anthony finally asked, it was the perfect moment between just the two of us while their friends and family stood close by to help them celebrate. Anthony recalls that getting on one knee to ask Macyn to marry him was undoubtedly the happiest moment of his life. They were able to share that moment together and celebrate after with so many of their loved ones!
The way that Macyn and Anthony care for one another is so evident. These two truly share something so special and sweet. I love how they speak so highly of each other. I have no doubt this darling duo will accomplish many great things together! Enjoy a peek into their engagement session.
