When she was in 9th grade, I met her for the first time as her Discipleship Group Leader.  She was one of 10 girls and they were… well, we’ll just say they enjoyed talking with each other.  A lot!  But as the year went by, I began to fall in love with this group of girls and everything they had ahead of them.  As their first year of high school came closer and closer, Anna met this boy and they began dating.  He was a year older and none of us knew for sure where this was headed.  But, their parents were supportive and Anna had always had a good head on her shoulders.

I still remember going to the airport with 6 of these girls the summer after their freshman year.  We were playing cards in our small little airport waiting to board our flight and Anna mentioned that Ben had written her a letter.  But she couldn’t open it to read it until she was on the plane.  And I’m sure that once we boarded our small plane to Atlanta and took off, her fingers were sliding the envelope open with care.  I don’t remember how many pages it was but it was a lengthy letter.  I also don’t remember all that it said, but I do remember thinking that Ben really liked her.  And he was pursuing her.  And he loved the Lord.  So, even though I wasn’t one of her parents, I had a responsibility to watch out for her and the boys she dated and how they treated her.  But Ben was good.  And it turns out, he was really good FOR her.

Anna actually moved to a different church a couple of years into high school.  But we still kept in touch.  We still met for coffee, we still texted, and I still checked in on how she was doing.  She’s such a beautiful and amazing girl and I’m so thankful for the friendship we have.  But I’m also thankful she has a man – a fiancé – that loves the Lord and loves her.

And as he got down on one knee by the water out side of the Charleston Aquarium, he asked her if he could love her forever.  He asked her if she would be his wife.  And she said yes!

Anna and Ben, I had so much fun with you guys last week and am still so thankful the rain held off!  The Lord is doing so much in each of you and you’re going to be a stronger team for His work as a married couple.  I’m excited about the adventure before you and I’m beyond honored to capture your first day as husband and wife this December.

Love you both…

We started the session by the Aquarium and were headed towards where Ben popped the question.
But we barely got onto the Aquarium’s property when I saw this road and asked them to stop!

A few clicks of my shutter and they’re giving me images like this… I knew it was going to be a GOOD evening!

Oh Charleston how I love your palmetto trees.

We finally made it out to the water… and to the spot where Ben proposed.

One of my favorites!!

Oh but I love this one too…

Truth: we tried this several times with many hilarious photos… but they got the hang of it and I LOVE these!!

I told Ben that if he ever cut an album that he’s free to use some of these for the cover.

And Anna?  I’m in love with your dress.

After the outfit change we headed into the downtown streets of Charleston. *sigh* One of my favorite places ever!

It was kind of a gloomy day since it had been raining up until an hour before we started shooting, but it also gave us the freedom to shoot ANYWHERE.

There might be other places in the country as beautiful as this, but I’m not so sure….

Rainbow Row… you complete me.

The “random alley” has quickly become one of my favorites.  To whomever lives here, thank you for your amazing flower boxes and grey-blue shutters!!

The next two images are in the same alley, just from opposite directions.  THAT’s how amazing Charleston is :-)

Sorry, guys.  I HAD to include this one!  You really have some killer dance moves!

I’m not sure what I love more about this image… that it’s black and white, that the framing of the trees is just right, that the older couple that walked by us looked back to watch the younger couple dancing or if I just love that he’s spinning her and she has a smile on her face.

Whatever the reason, I want to give you guys reading this blog a tip… learn how to dance!  Not only will you impress the girls with your ability to lead her on the dance floor, but girls love to spin (we’ve been twirling in our skirts and dresses since we were little!).  And spinning her on the dance floor is a guaranteed way to get her to laugh and smile :-)

Again, Charleston… you are amazing with your hidden gems!

They laugh so easily together and it’s beautiful.

We were actually headed to the car as we walked down this side street, but they humored me by stopping for “just a few more photos”.

I posted one of these rain shots last Friday, so I won’t go into the details, but I’m SO glad they trusted me and were willing to get a little wet for these photos!