One day, in your search for happiness, you discover someone by your side, and you realize that your happiness has come to help you search.” – Robert Brault
6 MONTHS PRIOR.
The sun was dipping lower and lower into the horizon. The sky filled with pink and purple hues, giving it an almost painterly look. The perfect backdrop for something spontaneous and romantic. A boat lazily bobbed along, in sync, with the rhythm of the waves. One of the friends proceeded to record what was going on with his phone camera. At first it didn’t seem like anything out of the ordinary. He was just there to capture the beauty of nature and it’s surroundings.
A lovely couple was sitting in front of him. I did notice that the guy sitting next to her looked at the camera and had this look. A look of urgency. The guy holding the camera started talking to the girl, almost as if he was trying to distract her momentarily. She then reached into the tackle box and unknowingly pulled out a small blue box with a ribbon tied around it. She looked at the camera, wide-eyed with a puzzled look. The guy then got down on one knee and proposed to the love of his life. Tears started rolling from her eyes. She said yes. They hugged. “Holy Shit”. She confessed later on, as more tears streamed down from her eyes. Now they are engaged. Four good friends were sitting at that boat during that fine summer evening and one fond memory will be shared and remembered for years to come.
6 MONTHS LATER.
Danny, Jordan and I have started the slow descent to the bottom of the forest for their engagement shoot. We definitely are not dressed properly for this downhill hike. Sturtevant Falls is a taste of tranquility in the middle of all the hustle and bustle in The City of Los Angeles. But the beauty is worth it. If you can get to the bottom.
We were at the end of our shoot when Jordan requested for one more favor, “Can you take a picture of Danny kissing my forehead?” Jordan asked. “It’s something he always does.” Ahhh the kiss on the forehead. A simple gesture that can speak volumes. Marilyn Monroe said that, “The real lover is the man who can thrill you by kissing your forehead or smiling into your eyes or just staring into space.” Her comfort is quickly apparent as Danny held her by the arms and gently kissed her forehead. There is warmth in knowing that that kiss that he routinely gives her is both a sign of respect to their relationship and a sign that he will be there always to protect her. It’s simple. It’s perfect. Her eyes were still closed as he gently pulled away. But a gentle smile can still be seen peeking through the corners of her mouth. And at that moment she knows, without a doubt, that she is the luckiest girl in the world.
