I will never forget the day I met Arlie — she was so quiet and reserved, yet wasn’t afraid to speak her mind! I was so excited to have her in my small group at Sam Houston State. I felt like I had nothing to offer her since she was an upper classman but I immediately fell in love with her heart. Over the course of my sophomore year, Arlie and I developed a very special bond that has continued over the years. I am so protective over Arlie and knew it would take one special guy to capture her heart… VERY special.

Arlie was driving through Abilene one afternoon and stopped by to visit me in my new hometown – Abilene. She began to tell me how she was hanging out with this guy… but just as friends. I knew in my heart this guy was THE ONE she was waiting for (but I didn’t tell her). It wasn’t long after we met up in Abilene that she called me to tell me they were dating, and not much time later when I received THE phone call that she was engaged!!

Keith, you are one blessed guy. You are marrying a princess. Arlie, isn’t God SO FAITHFUL?!? . I love you both!! Can’t wait ’til the wedding!

I had SO much fun with Samantha and John Sunday. Due to dreary weather and yucky cloud cover we had to reschedule the engagement session for Sunday — but the blue skies were worth it! Samantha and John met each other at the BSM and as Samantha says, John started library stalking her soon after . They spent one long day talking — they closed out the library, talked outside the dorms, moved inside, and then got hungry and moved their conversation over breakfast.  That conversation was the spark that started their relationship over more than one year. Samantha and John are totally opposites yet compliment each other so well. Samantha is spunky and knows what she wants and John likes to stop and smell the flowers along the way! John planned a great evening for Samantha the night he got on one knee. He reserved a room in the library where their love (hour upon hour conversation) began and told Samantha they were going on a date. He “had to stop and get some notes from a friend in the library” as they were supposed to be leaving town. John convinced her to come inside with him. When John opened the door to the reserved room in the library, Samantha ran the other direction! She knew what was coming… John got on one knee and asked Samantha to marry him!! You have got to see her gorgeous ring

Special thanks to the Tarleton police for letting us in the TSU stadium on a Sunday afternoon!! And thanks to the little old lady who let us spend a couple of hours taking some rockin shots by her super cool bus, old cars, and field! Samantha and John are one awesome couple — Samantha is quite the model! Enjoy!!

I remember the day Becky started telling me about a guy she met at youth camp.  It was really sweet. She talked about him so seriously, but what I loved most was she was trying not to smile while she talked about him — but that was impossible! Of course being very protective of Becky, I had lots of questions. I wanted to know all about this Jearen guy. I think she thought I was crazy, but I only wanted God’s best for her . Once I met Jearen and saw the way he looked at her, I knew Becky found the love of her life. I still admire how much thought he put into all their dates. And he loved giving her flowers for no reason. Becky and Jearen dated for a little over a year. He was quite the trickster… He had Becky convinced that marriage was a long way away. When we talked about marriage, I told her Jearen was pulling her leg. I think she wanted to believe me, but Jearen was so convincing.

On their one year anniversary, Becky just knew Jearen was going to pop the question. Jearen blindfolded Becky and took her places where significant things happened in their relationship. He took pictures of each location and that was her only clue. He drove her to Maypearl to the room where they first me, the paintball station where they spent many hours talking at camp, a church parking lot in Cleburne where Jearen told her he loved her, the Starbucks Becky said “I love you too” several months after, and to his mom’s house where they got dressed up to go to Reunion Tower. Becky was crushed when he didn’t propose. Jearen said, “I need more time to think about it.” [liar ]

You all know what happened after next… Check out my earlier blog post where Jearen surprised her with the ring.

Guys, if you’re running dry on creative date ideas, Jearen’s your man. Becky you are one lucky girl I’m so glad you too know what it feels like to be swept off your feet! Here are some of my favorite shots from our fun filled day shooting their engagement pics!

Katie is a really good friend of mine.  Casey luves her so much… so much that I couldn’t get him to quit kissing her so I could take their pictures!!

I met Kim & Cody through my sister in law.  I do have to say that Cody is the most cooperative guy I have photographed!  He was so patient with us and never once asked if when we would stop taking pictures!

Rhonda and Neal are quite the pair – down home country.  We met at the gas pump in Truscott, TX if that tells you how small this town is.  Neal drove all through the country and we got some great shots!  Enjoy!

Jearen Myers is one of a kind!  He called me several weeks before he was going to pop the question to Becky.  He asked if I would take pictures while he proposed to his girlfriend, Becky, at The Cliffs Resort on Possum Kingdom Lake .  Boy did he go to lots of work!  His plan was to tell Becky he was taking her to dinner at the Chaparral Grille.  What she didn’t know is that while he was taking her on a stroll around the golf course in the golf cart, her family, his family, and me and my husband were arriving to share this moment with them.  The family was hiding in a room facing the lookout tower where he was going to propose.  David and I were on the balcony of a hotel room trying not to be noticed.  It rained like cats and dogs so Jearen had to “conveniently” place an umbrella on the lookout tower. Well here are a few pics from the special night. I think the umbrella added the perfect touch!!  Congrats Becky and Jearen!!

THE RING…

Mandy and Stephen are such a sweet couple!  They lifeguarded together and not long after got hooked up!  They have a PRECIOUS daughter Rilee who wasn’t too excited about being left out of the pictures .  So we took some family pictures after she played in the sand and got it all over her clothes! It was so precious.

Can’t wait to shoot their wedding next Saturday in Weatherford.  I know Mandy will be a stunning bride!  I hear their daughter is helping walk Mandy down the aisle. How cute is that!

Here is Rilee!! Isn’t she adorable??