Joseph and Sarah {a proposal}

On a Friday evening a group of friends and I had gathered for a small grill out. As I was putting the last finishing touches on a plate of brownies, Joseph came up to me. Glancing over his shoulder to to make sure his girlfriend was out of hearing, he whispered his good news. He was planning on proposing! Several hushed squeals, excited whispers and emails later, Joseph's plan was slowly being set in place for a surprise Saturday proposal.

The morning of the proposal dawned sunny, windy...and cold! Bundling up, my first stop was for the bouquet of sunflowers Joseph had requested. The flowers secured, it was time to scope out Harriet Island. Arriving at the park I looked about to find THE bench...the bench where the proposal would take place. Momentary panic took over as I tried to remember which one on the end of the pier was the the bench...was it the one on the right or the left?!

After determining the correct one, I nestled the sunflowers there and said a silent prayer that the winds would not blow them away! Then I quickly left before running into the couple.

At the pre-determined time, I again made my way to the park where I texted Joseph to let him know I was there. As I walked along the boardwalk, I saw the two of them, hand in hand, walking towards me. At that point, Sarah only knew that Joseph had asked me to take some nice photos of the two of them as a couple. This was something that they had both talked about and wanted to do for quite some time, so Sarah did not think it out of the ordinary.

The next half hour was spent walking along the boardwalk as these two laughed, smiled and danced their way down the pier. Braving the cold winds, they would shed their coats, pose and quickly bundle back up. All throughout the afternoon, Joseph carried a lunch box in the shape of TARDIS....

Bit by bit we were making our way towards the end of the pier...towards the place where Joseph had decided to ask Sarah to marry him. The two of them slowly walked to their bench only to have Sarah stop short. She had seen the sunflowers. Picking them up, she turned to Joseph exclaiming: "There are flowers on our bench!" "Why are there flowers on our bench?!" As Joseph's smile grew brighter and brighter, she looked up to him and whispered, "What is going on?!"

Joseph gently seated Sarah and slowly bent to one knee. Surprise, laughter and tears came in quick succession as he presented a ring and asked Sarah to be his wife.

And just in case you were wondering...an exuberant 'yes' was given to Joseph's question! And I don't believe I've ever seen so much laughter, squealing, tears and excitement brimming over from two people!

Congratulations Joseph and Sarah! What a joy it was for me to be able to capture your beautiful moment! I have to admit, it was hard to stay focused as I tried to blink away my own tears =)

A Reason to Smile

Little moments of loveliness as I was walking to my apartment the other evening. I mean really, who can't help but smile when you are walking through such gorgeousness?!!!

Currently

Reading: Nothing at the moment...though Mom and I are thinking of reading a book together over the summer...and I am so excited to do that with her. My love of reading and a good book has definitely come from her and I will never forget all those years she kept me supplied with reading material.

Praying: For all those who lost loved ones and homes in the tornadoes yesterday...praying for comfort, consolation and healing.

Smelling: Spring rains and damp earth. 

Wishing: That I was better at letting things go and learning to simply trust in the Father's plan.

Hoping: That I can learn to love a little bit better every day.

Wearing: A soft cotton dress and wedges.

Loving: The part about the weekend that involved jumping in an ice cold lake. I discovered it was a bit too early to go swimming...I don't think I've ever been that cold...or laughed that hard!

Savoring: My chocolate, chocolate-chunk cookie. Seriously  I think I can make one cookie last longer than anyone I know...I just take really tiny bites!

Needing: A good run. 

Feeling: Blessed. 

Smiling: Because I cannot soak up enough of this color that is popping up all over the cities...lilac bushes, tulips, bright blue skies, young leaves and blossoming crab apple trees...so glorious!

Have a wonderful Tuesday evening =)

Love, Katie

You Have to Work at 8:30 in the Morning? No Big Deal, We'll Only Stay Up till 2 AM

Every now and then you need a break. Time to breath. Time to remember to laugh. And so last evening, my brother swung by and picked me up in his Ford Explorer. Windows rolled down, hair whipping in the wind and our shades on, we joined the steady stream of traffic leaving the cities.

Once we got a little closer to our destination (our brother and his family's home), we stopped for coffee. It made me so incredibly happy to walk out of Caribou with my arms full of Vanilla White Mochas and Mint Conditions!! I never would have though that my family would turn into coffee addicts lovers. Thank goodness for coupons and free drinks!

We pulled up to a white farm house nestled in a grove of trees, only to be greeted by the very loud squeals of excitement coming from the tiny body of our nephew. That kid is incredibly loud for his size. Just saying! He also never stops moving. Ever. Nor does he ever miss an opportunity to make monkeys out of all his aunts and uncles!

 As the grill was started, food prepared and the evening progressed, we realized a little bit more what these soft summer nights are for:


- coffee (duh)
- little kids with dirt between their toes from playing outside
- the smell of kabobs on the grill
- the smack of a baseball flying from glove to glove
- belly laughs and giggles
- the sounds of robins at dusk
- the crackle of a bonfire

- the chill of early evening
- bare feet and shorts

We realized that sometimes you have to put a date on the calendar and make it happen...life is not going to wait for you, it's right in front of you...just waiting to savored, cherished and lived!

Happy Friday lovely ones! Keep smiling and have a fantastic weekend =)