Lauren and Sam’s Shelby Farms engagement session is SO romantic. I can’t help but sing Taylor Swift’s “Dancing with our hands tied ” on repeat while editing this session, because of the lyric “Deep blue but you’ve painted me golden.” You’ll see why below, but to be honest, I’m pretty much always listening to something of Taylor’s on repeat. I digress.
Lauren is actually Kirsten’s sister! See the resemblance? John and I feel extremely blessed we get to photograph both of their weddings. Kirsten and Chis just got married this past March, and Lauren and Sam are getting married THIS WEEKEND! Sound the alarm, we cannot wait for this one. Lauren and Sam kind of fell into our lap as “clients” (you know I hate that word) and we are SO GLAD THEY DID!
I feel like Lauren and Sam’s first date says a lot about them as a couple and their genuine, spontaneous relationship. Here’s how Sam remembers it: “We rode my four wheeler together until 4 am talking and getting to know one another. It was a simple yet unforgettable first date.”
I love when we asks our couples about the proposal and both of them respond. I can hear the excitement in Lauren’s voice as I read her response. It’s just too good not to share:
“June 30, 2017 is when we got engaged. I had zero idea that he was going to propose that day. My family was in town for a family reunion (we have family reunions every 2 years). Whenever my family comes into town, we always go out to Beale Street one night. The plan for that night was to go out to Beale Street, eat dinner at Blue’s City Café, and take pictures by the river. My great aunt is a photographer, and my great uncle always has his video camera on him. Let me also say that there is a steak at Blue City Café that Sam had been talking about for the past 2 weeks. We arrive downtown, and get seated. There is a live band, we order drinks, apps, our food, and we are all just hanging out. About 20-25 minutes later, our food comes and Sam barely eats anything… he has been talking about this steak and how excited he is for it, yet eats two bites. I asked him if he was okay.. because he was also acting a little weird. Still didn’t think anything. But he said he was fine, just a little tired from a long day at work. So I said okay! We finish eating and head down to the river where we take pictures. We took a family photo with everyone (in one of these photos, you can see my step-sister handing Sam the ring). Then it is my sister and her boyfriend (now fiancé) turn to take individual pictures, then it’s our turn. We take a couple of photos, and I start to walk away, he grabs my hand and says “wait a minute”. When I turn back around, he takes both of my hands, says a ton of sweet caring words (that we both don’t even remember!!) He gets down on one knee, and asks me to marry him… I reply with (because I’m still in shock this is happening) Did you ask my dad?!?! He says “Of course I did!” Then I say YES as I’m crying and shaking!”
Lauren’s comment about Sam getting permission from her dad made both John and I chuckle. We are so excited for their wedding this weekend! You guys enjoy!
