They’ve been together for five years. They’ve talked about getting married. They’ve known they’ll spend the rest of their forevers together.

On one special ice cream date this spring, Darin handed Michelle hers with some special ‘icing’ on top, and without looking, Michelle started stirring. “What, I always stir my ice cream before I eat it!!” Michelle interrupts the story. Darin asks her how it is. If there’s anything special about this ice cream. She hits a hard piece of metal with her spoon, thinking her spoon is broken she pulls it out and the spoon is just fine. Darin isn’t as concerned about the hard chunk in her ice cream as she is. So she digs some more to find the (unintentionally) hidden treasure and Darin asks the question he’s been waiting so long (and now, even longer) to ask.

 And so it’s official – they’ll be tying the knot this November!!

It was so great seeing you guys the other night! I can’t wait for November!!

She saw him walk in from across the room. His friend overheard her making a comment about his sexy work boots and how that must mean he has good morals. He introduced himself and they danced the night away.

Almost one year later, they were staying in the Black Hills and Jerry had planned a romantic evening in after going out for supper. Flowers, wine, etc. The flowers showed up early, sending Jerry into a frenzy. It’s a good thing he frequently gives unexpected flowers to Laura – she still had no idea what was going on. When his ‘planned’ moment came and the flowers had already been there for a while, he started to get nervous. But then, “I Wouldn’t Be A Man” by Josh Turner came on and he asked her to dance. The perfect moment presented itself.

Jerry + Laura – I am SO excited to photograph your wedding this October! I can’t wait to watch you continue your life-long dance!!

Remember that amazing marriage proposal at Sylvan Lake a couple months ago? Well, lucky me, Brent + Kelcey asked me to be their photographer for their wedding this winter and so we met up in Sioux Falls this weekend for their official engagement photos!

Brent + Kelcey met at a mutual friend’s birthday party about a year ago and he put his number in her phone under the name “Brent Call Me.” And so she did. But he was going out of town that weekend and wouldn’t have cell phone reception… but he might be on Facebook chat. So she sat on her computer all night waiting to hear from “Brent Call Me” who was unavailable to call. :-)

They finally met up later that week and have been inseparable ever since!

When Brent called me to ask if I would be available to photograph the proposal, he had known for a while that he was going to ask Kelcey to marry him. When they pulled up to Sylvan Lake that chilly day in April, they saw me taking photos and decided that would be a good spot to take some photos of their own. They walked over, took a couple photos and Kelcey almost immediately said “Okay, let’s go. I’m cold.” “Wait, I have something to tell you,” urged Brent. And, well, you know what happens next. :-D

It was SO much fun to see Brent + Kelcey again and to hear more about them and their story!

Ken + Brittany were first introduced by a friend a long time ago, but nothing really happened until a year ago when their paths crossed once again and something sparked. After about a year of long-distance dating, Ken decided he wanted Brittany closer. He picked out a ring and had it in his vehicle for a couple weeks until the perfect moment presented itself.

They went to a playground and Brittany said she was ‘acting like a little kid’ running away from Ken and going down the slide. Ken challenged her to a race down the slides – he got to the bottom of her slide first. ring in hand. she said yes.

they both won.

Congrats on your engagement, Ken + Brittany! I am so excited to photograph your wedding this November!!

She’s from South Dakota. He’s from Georgia. They met at a country bar in Japan.

She was transferred to New Mexico while he stayed in Japan. Longest long-distance relationship EVER.

Now they’re both stationed in the Black Hills which makes me one happy girl!!

And doesn’t Tawni look just like Angelina Jolie in this photo?? This is probably my favorite image from the session – I was SO excited when the light decided to be perfect for this location! :-)

No wonder they’re in love – who couldn’t resist looking into THOSE eyes every day?!

Showin’ off their dancing skills – Tawni told me they are going to teach their wedding party a line dance. I can’t wait to see it in October!

The BLING!!

Just chillin’ in the Black Hills National Forest…

…being all beautiful and such. :-)

Mitch + Tawni – I can not wait for your wedding!! I am so excited for you to get married… and to have some of this famous sweet tea you’ve been telling me about. :-)