I can’t believe I’m finally saying this, but we’re ENGAGED! I’ve waited for this day for as long as I can remember. I’ve always wondered, “how will he propose?”, “I can’t wait for him to get down on one knee”, “how is he going to ask my dad for my hand in marriage?”, “is he ever going to propose?”. Kidding on the last one, sort of. We’ve been together for 11 years. IYKYK.
Andrew proposed on May 16, 2021, around sunset. I was told we were going on a family vacation in Watercolor, Florida with the Milsteads and we were taking family photos on the beach. We all decided on “50 shades of beige” for our theme so everyone coordinated. We arrived in Watercolor on May 15th. On the morning of the 16th, I specifically told Andrew that “the vibe was off”. I didn’t know if everyone was getting along because everyone was being SO quiet. Little did I know it was so they wouldn’t spill the beans.
That night, we all got ready for photos and took the golf cart down to the beach. The photographer, Caroline, told us that Wild Soul Films was there to take videos of her for her business. I thought it was strange, but I didn’t think anything of it.
Our photo session felt like a marathon, literally. We stopped and took photos on the beach and then we would walk further down the beach, stop and take more photos, repeat. Caroline told us it was for lighting purposes. Eventually, we took our last round of photos right around golden hour. Then, Andrew grabbed my hand and walked me up the beach alone. There was a huge heart sandcastle with “Marry Me?” etched in it and he got down on one knee. I basically blacked out at this point. All I can remember him saying was that this whole thing was for us, not just family photos, that my parents were behind me, and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.
I felt like when he got down on one knee, the world stopped. I truly think I forgot to say yes initially because I was so shocked. It felt like an eternity, but in the best way. Obviously I said yes, between the tears. I turned around and our whole family was behind us, tears in eyes, waiting to congratulate us. I had no idea my parents were in Watercolor and the first thing I said to my mom was, “I’m getting married!”.
We popped champagne and took more photos/videos that I will forever cherish. I almost don’t even remember taking the photos after he proposed (still blacked out), so I’m glad we have physical proof of the moments after. There was a bonfire waiting for us on the beach and we all drank and celebrated and told stories about all the almost slip-ups, how my parents got there, and all the planning that went on behind the scenes.
Back at the house, there was a chef-prepared dinner waiting for us along stunning floral arrangements, wedding planning books, and Mr. and Mrs. apparel.
May 16, 2021, was the most perfect day and I’m beyond excited to marry my soulmate. Let the wedding planning begin!
PS – a huge thanks to both of our families who worked so hard to make our day so special. It couldn’t have happened without you. Also a big thank you to Caroline Brantley Photography who took all of our photos and Wild Soul Films who filmed our proposal which you can see here.
