She didn’t even know it was coming.

Rewind a bit…back to…oh… to… hmmm high school… can’t exactly remember what grade. But, I do remember Chemistry… with Ms Mallen. Yes…for all you Los Altos alums, I just said.. Ms Mallen. An old friend… Mike and I had Chemistry together. I remember throwing little pieces of paper in the hair of people and doing lab reports in that class with him. Maybe some people copying off my paper… not so sure. But, that was about oh…like 8 years ago. Good times. I’m pretty sure I photographed Mike when he was on the baseball team for yearbook too. Wow…almost forgot about that. I love hearing good news from old friends from high school… it takes me back and it’s special to experience these beautiful milestones in their lives. I feel so blessed.

I sat beach side in the midst of family and friends (not my own)… trying to blend in as if I were just lounging with these people. I had butterflies in my stomach…I mean.. why for? I wasn’t the one getting proposed to! But, I wanted to be in just the right spot at the perfect time without her even taking note of the girl with the camera bigger than herself. I just wanted to be seen casually as some girl who was taking pictures of the sunset…. with her big fat professional looking camera. No biggie right? haha.

Text messages came rolling in to update me on their status…

” B there soon”

“We just got here”

Eeeeek! Too much anticipation as I sat waiting in the sand…uncomfortable close to some strangers looking at me like I was an intruder. I could hardly contain myself… they were approaching and I had to keep myself from leaping up in excitement. She didn’t know it was coming… but, I DID… and I was ready to capture it all. Of course I did have to restrain myself from smiling behind the camera and looking like a huge goofball. But, I mean the camera covers my entire face…and then some.

Mike contacted me about how he was planning on proposing… and that he wanted me there to photograph it. I was so happy for him! So in these moments..I watched an waited to see Mike get down on one knee. That was my cue. And then… it happened.

I giggled quietly to myself…man it was hard to stay cool. It happened so quick, and it was precious. I wanted to let them have their moment.

Lauren, Mike’s new fiance hadn’t noticed me… until I made my huge telephoto lens obviously visible. Their love… looked amazing. So beautiful. A heartfelt proposal followed by an engagement session. Enjoy