Sarah and I go way back to the first day on band camp (yes, folks- band camp) in 9th grade, and we’ve been through a lot together- homecomings, band drama, high school in general, the tumult of navigating relationships as a teenager. She was a bridesmaid at my wedding is one of the only people from high school I still keep up with, and I love her SO very dearly! We’ve watched each other fall in and out of love, and knowing her as well as I do, I knew that once she met Dan things had changed. They met in San Diego while Dan was finishing med school with the Navy and within a few short months, Dan received his orders to be down in Jacksonville, Florida for his next phase of residency. It was a a leap of faith, but after a little consideration Sarah followed suit.

Something was definitely different about Dan- he brought a level of joy and incandescent happiness to Sarah’s life that I’d never seen in her before. So imagine my delight when I received an email from Dan saying he was planning to propose and wanted to know if I’d come down to Florida to photograph it? Um, YES.

When it came to choosing the location, Dan had the perfect idea: there’s a 200-year-old sprawling oak tree in Jacksonville that they’d been meaning to visit and he wanted to propose underneath its shade. Sarah loves oaks- her grandparents are buried under one and she has a tattoo of the tree on her back, so I don’t think Dan could have chosen a more perfect spot.

Dan, thank you SO MUCH for flying me down to photograph this!! I knew you were perfect for Sarah, and the lengths you went to to make her feel loved is such a testament to the fact that you belong together. Sarah, BEST WISHES!!! I’m so so excited for this new chapter in your life, and I love you like crazy, girl!!

Enough chatter- onto the photos!

I think this is Dan’s “nailed it” face.

 Congratulations, you guys!! I love you both!!