Proposal | Nashville, Tennessee

Daniel and Jenny. What a freakin’ DUO.

I met Jenny on the floor of one of the rooms in Stevenson at Vanderbilt University. It was January, and she was to be one of our new bible study leaders for the year. She was starting in the spring semester since she had been abroad (on a mission trip!) for the semester before, and our bible study was sitting on the floor, sharing introductions so that Jenny could get to know us.

I remember sitting there and getting a glimpse of Jenny’s heart for the first time. She had just met all of us girls, but she intentionally asked us each how our lives were, what was going on, and then sat and prayed over all of it with us (along with Abbey Fitz! Woo, love that woman too. Check out her engagement session with Matt here).

Fast forward to a year later. Jenny and Daniel had started dating, and I slowly became better friends with Jenny. Her favorite way to describe me has always been “from bible study girl, to friend, to photographer” and it’s honestly quite true. She’s become a mentor, a gracious friend, a fellow India traveler, and just a wise, refreshing breath to the everyday. She loves to encourage people to pursue the Kingdom and SHE is truly a Kingdom Warrior.

Fast forward again to July. I was on FaceTime with Abbey Fitz, when Daniel suddenly jumped in. I immediately freak out, knowing there are really only a couple reasons that he would crash this phone call. He tells me that he’s planning on proposing to Jenny in a week or so, and asks if I would like to shoot it — I immediately say yes (of course!) and freak out a LOT.

A week or so later, Jenny and I had originally planned to hang out and go hiking, and Jenny asks me if I’d be okay with changing up the plans and instead get our nails done together. I obviously say yes, and play dumb, pretending that this was just what normal girls do for fun (though, realistically. WHO HAS THE TIME AND MONEY FOR THAT ON A REGULAR BASIS? What even. Sorry, I’ll continue). I met Jenny at the store, and told her about my new camera that had JUST gotten in that day, and if she would be down to try it out after we got our nails done. She says of course, but then slyly tells me that she might need professional photos soon. I played confused and asked her if she meant she needed headshots for teaching. She said no and made me keep guessing. Finally, she blurted out that she was getting engaged in the next month — and I started CRYINGGG of joy (and probably fear that she would figure out that I already knew). Yup. I know how to lie well, tears and all. I asked her for all the details — when they had decided, when she thought it was going to happen, and if Daniel needed photos (hehe, oops). She had NO CLUE that I knew literally all the details already.

The next day, the two of them got engaged, and it was truly the most beautiful thing I had ever been a part of. I was hiding behind/beneath a dining table when they came into the house, and got to hear Jenny scream “YES” when Daniel was on his knee. When she saw me come out of hiding, she realized I had known for a while and she kicked me (mostly gently, but still a solid kick). I guess that’s what I get for lying haha.

Honestly, I would do it all over again for those two. I loveeee surprise proposals and I love them! Check these photos OUT.