Colette Emilia: January 2016

Oh the nerves and pent-up excitement leading up to this moment. With ring tucked carefully away in his dresser drawer, ideas [some of them hilarious and quite outrageous] began being tossed back and forth between the star-crossed lover boy and select confidants. The stone was perfect and unique, a sapphire, what Ellen asked for, set in white gold. Ian wanted to propose on his birthday because 1.) sapphire is his birthstone, and 2.) he figured Ellen's answer would (hopefully) be the best birthday present he could ask for. The location, however needed some thought. I, being the hopeless romantic of the bunch, had Ian come up with a few of his and Ellen's favorite memories and where they took place. That quickly backfired as he explained most of the "momentous" events in their love story and where they took place were hardly ideal proposal locations. [There first sight of each other took place in our driveway, he asked Ellen to date him over the phone, etc...] When we planned our annual family vacation to the Upper Peninsula a few days before Ian's birthday, it was a clear choice and the real planning began. It would be perfect, I thought, knowing they had romantic walks along lake Michigan together. Now, all he had to do, was wait.

When my brother asked me if I would tag along and be a part of this incredibly special day and take pictures of the proposal, I couldn't have been more excited. And freaked out. I'm so quick to overthink, and worst-case scenarios played through my mind. Never having been responsible for capturing something so important before, especially for someone I love so dearly, you could say I was feeling the pressure.

On Sept 19 after dinner and a slight hiccup with camera battery, the four of us, Ian, Ellen, Levi, (my cover) and I set out for an evening stroll. Seul Choix Pointe, a favorite location only a couple miles away from our cabin, was our destination. The weather was perfect. Their outfits coordinated. My camera was (now) charged. They were adorable. Location was stunning. I was in my element.

Enough talk.

Oh my goodness! Even though it's not in focus, I just love this picture. At the exact moment that Ian had given me the "thumbs up," Ellen, totally oblivious to what was happening around her, turned around and walked away. Timing and this reaction couldn't have been more perfect. Levi and I amused ourselves by giving a play by play of what we imagined was happening and every random moment.

Lover-boy getting into position

!!!!!!!

Fun fact: Suel Choix is French for "only choice," which we thought was hilariously ironic... Whether Ellen realized it or not, we all decided "yes" was her only choice.