David & Brittani | The Proposal (no, not the movie… but better)
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
So…
I am curious. What comes to mind when you look at the image above? Does it invoke any emotions, or can you relate to the expressions on the faces of the two people above? For those of you who know the people above, are these familiar expressions? Perhaps it would help to build context around the image so that you can better understand the joy and satisfaction that this image seems to be soaked in. I’ll start with their names.
Meet David and Brittani. I did that very thing this past year when I interned with Food for the Hungry. David and Brittani are part of the City Initiatives team of Food for the Hungry and spend a great deal of their time focusing on gospel driven issues of injustice and human poverty. They are very good at what they do, and above that, they are very good and including other people in what they do. Something that continues to build up the body of Christ in Phoenix and beyond. They are both incredibly gracious and fun loving people, the kind of folks who you just want to be around. So, all that to say these are two awesome people.
About a week and a half ago I got an e-mail from David sharing that he was ready to pop the question! He asked if I would be willing to photograph the proposal, of course I was. We met soon after to strategize, find the location, and set into place a sneaky plan that I’m confident would rival most military operations. So once we had poured over the detials it was just a matter of waiting. Eventually they day came.
The Day Of 12/15/2009:
2:08pm
David calls to make sure everything is a go. I barely recognize his voice as the excitment and anticipation are at their highest point yet!
4:00
I arrive to the top of South Mountain and place an empty bottle of coke as a marker to signal David where to stand.
4:09
David sends me a text asking how Mexico was (I was there the previous weekend). This is code for: We are now leaving Food for the Hungry)
I reply with a code meaning that everything is good to go.
4:46
David texts me ”Glad you had fun.” Translation…we are here!
I stayed hidden and out of sight waiting for them to approach. I soon saw David walking towards the coke bottle, a big smile on his face. Right behind him is Brittani, still not knowing what is about to happen. As they reach the spot they stand next to each other and talk for a moment. David takes her hand and they look out from South Mountain towards the city. It was then that I remembered why this is where David wanted to propose. ”South Mountain,” David had said, “is a special place for us. Our time there has always been meaningful. If there was any place in Phoenix that is our place it is South Mountain.” I smiled, and began to snap away. As I did the moment arrived and David took one knee.
After what was only moments, but I expect felt like ages, David finished his proposal. And guess what, she said YES!!! They caught their breath and hugged as the excitement was obviously overwhelming. After a moment David revealed another secret…”Say cheese Brittani!”
After giving Brittani some time to process everything that was happening we took the opportunity to snap some more pictures in the beautiful light being cast by the setting sun.
There are good days and there are great days. This was a great day. And, I suspect one that neither David or Brittani will soon forget. Again, congratulations to you both. It was a privilege to share that time with you! I’m so excited to see what’s next to come for the two of you, thanks for letting me be a small part of your journey together!
