J + M

For weeks, Jacob had been telling me he was going to a football game on November 29th. But not just any football game —State vs. UNC—and of course, I believed him. He even had a friend texting him about it, several times! A photographer I had worked with before asked me to second shoot a wedding at Historic Oak View Park that same day, so I figured that was my plan for the afternoon. That morning, Jacob said he was heading to church to do something (he didn't), and I spent the day totally unsuspecting: watching The Waltons, eating Fruity Pebbles, putting up the Christmas tree, and basically living my normal life. When it got close to time to leave, I threw on something “pretty enough” for the wedding and even debated skipping my makeup—but luckily, I found my makeup bag in the car and went for it. Thank God for my bag staying in my car! On the way to the park, I thought I saw a friend’s truck pass by, but I brushed it off. Turns out it was Tim leaving after dropping Jacob off and helping him get set up. At the park, I met up with the photographer, exchanged SD cards, and started walking into the grounds. And then… our song started playing. I turned around—and there he was. Jacob. We both started crying immediately, snotting everywhere, and gleaming from ear to ear. I had my camera in my hands and sunglasses on my head, but I dropped them both right away. Of course, he had the ring box upside down when he asked. That must mean good luck or something, right? Even as he asked me to marry him, I still thought he was going to the football game, because remember? NC State vs. UNC?! He didn't have tickets. This was the plan all along. After he proposed, we went to what I thought was just “a quick stop by the church,” and when we walked in… all of our closest friends and family were there waiting for a surprise engagement party. I couldn’t stop laughing, crying, or thanking God for such a perfect day.