Michael and I's Engagement
I am so overjoyed and overwhelmed with love!! Be prepared for many exclamation points in this blog post, because I am ecstatic!!! It was probably around three months of dating when both Michael and I talked about marriage. It was a distant thing ("I would want this in a wedding," "for my wedding I'd like to have..."), but it was always pointed towards each other knowingly. Well, on June 30th, Michael proposed and asked me to marry him!! (I said, "YES!!!!!!!!!!")
---> You can view all of our wonderful pictures here by Samuel Greenhill Photography <---
First of all, I can tell you right now I was suspicious, because Samuel contacted me at like the end of April, asking if I wanted to do a vintage photoshoot--and if you know Samuel he is a vicious planner, but also very spontaneous! In fact, I'm positive that 90% of the pictures Samuel takes of either Michael and/or I, are spur-of-the-moment, "oh-man-Courtney-stay-there-let-me-take-your-picture" type of moments! So him asking me so far in advance...I knew something was up. Also, when I texted Michael about it he seemed--positively--enthused, like, more so than I thought he was going to be. Which totally isn't a bad thing, but that also made me suspicious (Nancy Drew skills coming into play?).
I shared how I was feeling to my parents and my sister. As time went on, and the date got closer, we were planning some in depth details, I was so sure that something was going to happen, but I didn't want to put all my eggs in one basket, because what if something didn't happen. I didn't want to put pressure on Michael, and also be disappointed! I talked with Michael's sister, Elena about it. We had coffee the week before, and if I've learned anything from the weeks before the engagement it's that basically everyone I talked to about the photoshoot/engagement can pull of serious poker faces. They are so sly...Some part of me wanted to know, but then another part of me was like, "Courtney, just be surprised." So I stopped being suspicious and went with the flow.
Once the day arrived, however, I couldn't help but be excited. I just wanted to know! What if I was excited for nothing? After the engagement a lot of people asked me (and are still asking) if I had any idea, or was suspicious, and at first I said, "a little," but the more I think about it, and how I expressed how I was feeling to my close friends, I was actually very suspicious (let's see how many times I can say 'suspicious' in this blog post...)
Anyway, I had taken off work that Friday and got ready (did my nails...) and then met up with Samuel and Michael at Samuel's house. We prepared a few more things, and Samuel told me his in depth plan. One thing that gave it away for me was Samuel said, "Wow today is just going to be so exciting. This is going to be like my biggest shoot yet." And I knew he was working on re-branding his photography website, and working on some big things with his work, but I said, "Why's that?" and he said something to the effects of, "Oh, I don't know. This is just a big rebranding shoot." Which some part of my subconscious told me that wasn't the only reason why it was going to be a big shoot! I kept telling myself, don't get too excited...What if it doesn't happen.
Samuel is one of Michael and I's best friends. We've known him since his photography business was a fetus and he keeps changing into this ever-growing blossom of success, passion, and love for what he does...with a hint of doubt. (I say doubt, because with being a creative person, you have to have some level of doubt about your work to keep creating. It's great, continually being happy with what you're producing; but if you doubt something about your work, I feel like you will be inclined to change and take risks. Which Samuel does at each of his photoshoots, and he gets better and better!)
With that being said, I had in mind that, even if Michael didn't propose, the night was still going to be wonderful, fun, and going towards a great cause--and there would be beautiful pictures of Michael and I (lol)! Samuel had previously taken pictures for Katie, one of his friends, and her dad had a '67 Firebird. Samuel contacted Katie's dad and asked if he could use his Firebird for this photoshoot for part of his re-branding project with Samuel's work.
After the Covington Car shoot, we grabbed some Popeyes (ravenously ate it in Samuels car), then drove up to Waynesville, Ohio to the Red Stewart Airfield. I didn't know what Samuel had in store...All he kept saying was that he rented an airplane and something to do with taking pictures in it. Once we arrived, it was so beautiful. The land kept going forever, and the 1930's planes were beautiful, and it's a family owned business--the people were incredibly nice!
The guy on the very left was named Connor who had a thick country accent, and probably the nicest guy ever! Samuel had a specific plane he wanted to take pictures in front of. Connor got out his 70's blue John Deere tractor and told us, "if we wanted to move the airplane anywhere, then just let him know and he would move it for us."
Samuel, who kept forgetting Connor's name, asked Connor if he could move the plane, but just in this sort of general direction. We took a quick break to go inside, pay, and see if there were any other cool props we could use, and when we walked back to the plane it was perfectly positioned in a 45-degree angle. Samuel just started laughing and said, "CONNOR, YOU'RE AMAZING!"
Samuel also has this new thing with his photography where you can include a videographer in your photography package. Justin Donaldson was there with us, who is an amazing videographer!
Samuel took some, "Going to War," pictures, and some inside the plane.
The whole time I was seriously swooning, the whole thing was extravagant and Michael looked so good...!!!
The sun was slowly setting, and at this point I basically reassured myself, "It's not going to happen. This was still fun. I still love Michael. Samuel is a great photographer and friend. And it's fine! Everything's fine!"
I found out later that Samuel throughout the shoot kept saying things to try and throw me off. Which worked! I was doubting everything! Although, since Justin was there to record video of us, I thought...Why else would he be here unless to record a proposal?
DOUBTS ASIDE---it was probably 8:30 when Samuel said, "Okay now for the big scene," and I heard Justin say, "I have no idea what you're talking about." (My heart went, "AHHHH!!!!")
Samuel asked Michael to get "some props," and Michael took out this vintage film camera and began to pretend to take pictures of me.
I was getting warily suspicious, because he pretended to take pictures of me for what seemed like a long time. It was when Samuel told Michael, "now say some sweet things to her Michael," that I almost freaking flipped the heck out!!
Michael said some kind words then, "I love you soo much, " got on his knee, popped open the camera, and the ring was in where the film was supposed to be! How cute! I loved it!!!
The picture below shows the process of what he was saying, and my reaction, and I knew what was coming next! I will keep Michael's words and that moment forever in my heart! I can't describe how much love was in the air! Even Samuel was crying (lol).
After we told the news to family and friends, we took a couple Polaroids, said bye to Justin, then went and took some pictures in an overgrown field nearby. The rose gold ring is the most beautiful ring I have literally ever seen...!!!!
The funniest thing happened on our way back. We were filled with joy and love and friendship and awesomeness, and we had all of our stuff and were walking back to our car, when we hear Connor's blue tractor driving up towards the airplane (to move it back to its original place), and he waved and said, "CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!!" and we're like, "THANK YOU CONNOR!!"
Here, young Waynesville-Ohio-Connor was doing his job moving planes every which way, when he was in the midst of a proposal scheme! By the look on his face as we were leaving, I don't think Samuel told him the true reason we were there!
I shared how I was feeling to my parents and my sister. As time went on, and the date got closer, we were planning some in depth details, I was so sure that something was going to happen, but I didn't want to put all my eggs in one basket, because what if something didn't happen. I didn't want to put pressure on Michael, and also be disappointed! I talked with Michael's sister, Elena about it. We had coffee the week before, and if I've learned anything from the weeks before the engagement it's that basically everyone I talked to about the photoshoot/engagement can pull of serious poker faces. They are so sly...Some part of me wanted to know, but then another part of me was like, "Courtney, just be surprised." So I stopped being suspicious and went with the flow.
Once the day arrived, however, I couldn't help but be excited. I just wanted to know! What if I was excited for nothing? After the engagement a lot of people asked me (and are still asking) if I had any idea, or was suspicious, and at first I said, "a little," but the more I think about it, and how I expressed how I was feeling to my close friends, I was actually very suspicious (let's see how many times I can say 'suspicious' in this blog post...)
Anyway, I had taken off work that Friday and got ready (did my nails...) and then met up with Samuel and Michael at Samuel's house. We prepared a few more things, and Samuel told me his in depth plan. One thing that gave it away for me was Samuel said, "Wow today is just going to be so exciting. This is going to be like my biggest shoot yet." And I knew he was working on re-branding his photography website, and working on some big things with his work, but I said, "Why's that?" and he said something to the effects of, "Oh, I don't know. This is just a big rebranding shoot." Which some part of my subconscious told me that wasn't the only reason why it was going to be a big shoot! I kept telling myself, don't get too excited...What if it doesn't happen.
Samuel is one of Michael and I's best friends. We've known him since his photography business was a fetus and he keeps changing into this ever-growing blossom of success, passion, and love for what he does...with a hint of doubt. (I say doubt, because with being a creative person, you have to have some level of doubt about your work to keep creating. It's great, continually being happy with what you're producing; but if you doubt something about your work, I feel like you will be inclined to change and take risks. Which Samuel does at each of his photoshoots, and he gets better and better!)
With that being said, I had in mind that, even if Michael didn't propose, the night was still going to be wonderful, fun, and going towards a great cause--and there would be beautiful pictures of Michael and I (lol)! Samuel had previously taken pictures for Katie, one of his friends, and her dad had a '67 Firebird. Samuel contacted Katie's dad and asked if he could use his Firebird for this photoshoot for part of his re-branding project with Samuel's work.
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We were on our way to Covington, which was where the Firebird was. We drove around and found some cute spots in Covington with the car, there were multiple: "HEY, I LIKE YOUR CAR!" and Katie's dad would just wave. I felt very prestigious!
After the Covington Car shoot, we grabbed some Popeyes (ravenously ate it in Samuels car), then drove up to Waynesville, Ohio to the Red Stewart Airfield. I didn't know what Samuel had in store...All he kept saying was that he rented an airplane and something to do with taking pictures in it. Once we arrived, it was so beautiful. The land kept going forever, and the 1930's planes were beautiful, and it's a family owned business--the people were incredibly nice!
The guy on the very left was named Connor who had a thick country accent, and probably the nicest guy ever! Samuel had a specific plane he wanted to take pictures in front of. Connor got out his 70's blue John Deere tractor and told us, "if we wanted to move the airplane anywhere, then just let him know and he would move it for us."
Samuel, who kept forgetting Connor's name, asked Connor if he could move the plane, but just in this sort of general direction. We took a quick break to go inside, pay, and see if there were any other cool props we could use, and when we walked back to the plane it was perfectly positioned in a 45-degree angle. Samuel just started laughing and said, "CONNOR, YOU'RE AMAZING!"
Samuel also has this new thing with his photography where you can include a videographer in your photography package. Justin Donaldson was there with us, who is an amazing videographer!
Samuel took some, "Going to War," pictures, and some inside the plane.
The whole time I was seriously swooning, the whole thing was extravagant and Michael looked so good...!!!
The sun was slowly setting, and at this point I basically reassured myself, "It's not going to happen. This was still fun. I still love Michael. Samuel is a great photographer and friend. And it's fine! Everything's fine!"
I found out later that Samuel throughout the shoot kept saying things to try and throw me off. Which worked! I was doubting everything! Although, since Justin was there to record video of us, I thought...Why else would he be here unless to record a proposal?
DOUBTS ASIDE---it was probably 8:30 when Samuel said, "Okay now for the big scene," and I heard Justin say, "I have no idea what you're talking about." (My heart went, "AHHHH!!!!")
Samuel asked Michael to get "some props," and Michael took out this vintage film camera and began to pretend to take pictures of me.
I was getting warily suspicious, because he pretended to take pictures of me for what seemed like a long time. It was when Samuel told Michael, "now say some sweet things to her Michael," that I almost freaking flipped the heck out!!
Michael said some kind words then, "I love you soo much, " got on his knee, popped open the camera, and the ring was in where the film was supposed to be! How cute! I loved it!!!
The picture below shows the process of what he was saying, and my reaction, and I knew what was coming next! I will keep Michael's words and that moment forever in my heart! I can't describe how much love was in the air! Even Samuel was crying (lol).
Afterwards, there was some more crying, Justin recorded the whole thing, and Connor was still sitting on his tractor.
Here is the wonderful video Justin Donaldson recorded of us!
Courtney & Michael | Engagement Teaser from Justin Donaldson on Vimeo.
We called my parents and sister, then face-timed Michael's family to tell him the news! It was so exciting!! There was a lot of screaming!
After we told the news to family and friends, we took a couple Polaroids, said bye to Justin, then went and took some pictures in an overgrown field nearby. The rose gold ring is the most beautiful ring I have literally ever seen...!!!!
How handsome... 😋
The funniest thing happened on our way back. We were filled with joy and love and friendship and awesomeness, and we had all of our stuff and were walking back to our car, when we hear Connor's blue tractor driving up towards the airplane (to move it back to its original place), and he waved and said, "CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!!" and we're like, "THANK YOU CONNOR!!"
Here, young Waynesville-Ohio-Connor was doing his job moving planes every which way, when he was in the midst of a proposal scheme! By the look on his face as we were leaving, I don't think Samuel told him the true reason we were there!
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Once we got back to Samuel's house, Samuel efficiently edited the pictures in his skillfully masterful way, then the night was over and I drove home--high off love! ❤❤❤ I thought I would share just about how the night went afterwards at Samuels.
If this picture doesn't describe Michael-Samuel-and I's relationship I don't know what does. ("I SWEAR IF YOU GUYS KISS ONE MORE TIME...")
Thank you for reading! I am so happy to get to share this wonderful chapter in my life! The Lord has brought Michael and I together, knowing were better together, than apart, and I honestly can't wait for what the future has to hold! And what has already happened! I wouldn't trade the past 15 months for anything. Doing life with Michael has been an adventure. I can't imagine spending the rest of my life with someone else. He is the love of my life!
-Courtney
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