So a long, long time ago, Chanae's parents and my family ran in the same circles and knew each other.
Fast forward a few years later and I find myself working in a department at the Florida Institute of Technology with Brandon. I later met his-then girlfriend who worked in the same department as me and we attend a few conferences together and find out that we were probably moments away from meeting each other when we were kids (life can have such a sense of cheekiness). I immediately fell in friendship (I can say that right?) with Chanae because she is so so easy to talk to and has these ginormous big brown eyes that just make you want to be her friend for forever. On top of that she is so incredibly patient, smart (she has her Master's), thorough and has a smile that would light up a room of crying minions from the movie Despicable Me. This girl is fabulous (seriously Brandon, nice job). And Brandon is great too, don't get me wrong, I mean he has really straight teeth and can talk in full sentences. I jest. Brandon is a smarty pants, plus he and I understand each other (especially when it comes to being hot and hungry; clear the way to the closest AC vent and give me some food ASAP). He was working on his Ph.D. at Western Michigan University when he decided he couldn't live without Chanae (once again, Brandon, I get you; I couldn't either). So he customized a ring with his initial on one side, and her's on the other, brought her to a beach that they both had (I believe) their first date, got down on one knee and asked the question "my darling, would you be mine?" She said "of course."
(Give me a second....need to release this huge girly sigh out of my chest).
So then, they say to each other "well, I guess we need an engagement photographer to make this all legit." So they asked me. And while I was drying my eyes I told them that yes, I would freaking love to photograph my favourite engaged couple.
And thus you get to see the combined efforts of myself, these two people, and the love these two share.
I couldn't be happier for these two people. They are going to be such an amazing couple. Together they remind me of Prince William and Princess Kate of the academic world. They're just so perfect for each other and you just can't help but wish that something amazing like that can happen to you. Congratulations you guys. I'm so excited for you.
