Ok, I officially can’t get over how adorable this post is. Proposals just make me weak in the knees. I can never get enough of them. The moment a person asks their favorite person in the entire world to hang out with forever and ever – that’s a moment that can’t be beat. And when there just happens to be a lovely photographer like Sarah DeShaw there to capture it all, we all get to gush about it together! See even more here!
Click here for the FULL proposal!
From the Groom… From the moment we came into each other’s lives, this verse from Ephesians 3:20 has described every little detail of our relationship: “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or imagine.” As we reflect back on God’s purposeful timing, we are in awe of how He directed our love story down to the second as part of His plan for our lives because of His infinite love for us as His children. Leading up to now we often say our relationship has been storybook. Since the author of this story is the Almighty God, then its no wonder the surprises keep getting better. Little moments will happen and I’ll just turn to Mattye and say “storybook.” She grins and gives me one of those smiles I love. Originally I had thought about asking Mattye to be in my life forever on my birthday. I mean who would really be getting the best gift of all on that day? God gave me all the help and blessing I could ask for by allowing the ring to be ready one day before we would leave for our trip to St. Simons. During our second day of the trip we met with David Yarborough, pastor of SSCC, to hear his heart for weddings and offer him our vision of a Godly marriage we desire to have. We talked with him about past life experiences with family and described what we thought the other really needed in a husband or a wife. He gave us the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas and posed the question, “What if marriage isn’t just about finding happiness, but was truly created to make us more Holy through sanctification?” Interesting question, we both thought. We believe God plants traits within us to bring our partner closer to HIM.
On the last day of our trip in the final hours of daylight we drove over to Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island. The sun was still hanging around in the sky and a view of sunset was growing near. We met up with our friends and photographers Sarah and Brent Deshaw. Mattye didn’t know it, but I had been in contact with them sharing my plan for the proposal and orchestrating for them to photograph the special moment. All four of us walked along the driftwood trees stepping over and under branches. It was really an amazing setting, almost like a movie set. Brent and Sarah suggested we go exploring, and this was the beginning of some natural cues to come. We walked along the beach holding each other as the sun dipped lower in the sky. Sarah positioned us in some very relaxed poses, but I was a little tense. I just kept holding onto Mattye, saying I love you and giving her kisses. Finally, the moment appeared. I said I believe that 33 years, and one day ago God had knit me together with talents and longings and a purpose. He birthed me out into this world to glorify HIM with all that I am. I believe he did not create me to be alone. I reminded Mattye that on Sunday she asked me if she would be happy in five days and I said no. Our time and prayers leading up to this moment were perfect. She wasn’t expecting a proposal and I believed she had given up control of this thing to me and God to let us handle the right timing. I talked about my heart definition of who she is. Then I told her that I could not tell her she would be happy in five days because in four days I was going to ask her to marry me. I got down on one knee and pulled the little black felt box from my pocket and said, “Mattye Caroline LaSuer, will you be in my life forever?” She covered her face and came toward me to kiss me. Then she paused to look down at the sparkling new ring that was meant for her finger. When she saw it for the first time her mouth dropped open. She finally let me take the ring and put it on her finger. We jumped, laughed, hugged, kissed, and praised our God through whom all this was possible.
Photography + Cinematography: Sarah DeShaw Photography / Music: August York / Location: Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, Georgia / Ring Setting: Designer C. Gonshor from Diamonds Direct / Diamond: Levy’s Fine Jewelers of Birmingham / Necklace: Stella & Dot