Chris and Lindsey Are Engaged!
There are surprise proposals... and then there are surprise proposals that involve a luxury resort, a secret golf cart tour, a field of purple flowers, a disabled golf cart, and a very determined groom-to-be.
Chris contacted me just a few days ago with plans to propose to Lindsey during their stay at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida. The plan was for me to photograph the moment without Lindsey ever realizing a photographer was following them around. So naturally, I became their tour guide.
When I arrived at the World Equestrian Center, the front desk staff couldn't have been more helpful. My golf cart key was ready for me, and before long, I was waiting for Chris and Lindsey to arrive for what Lindsey believed was a guest-experience tour of the property.
When they walked up, I introduced myself and explained that in addition to showing them around, I was also a professional photographer and that a few portraits around the property were complimentary with their tour—as long as they weren't camera shy. Thankfully, they weren't. I had also very quickly given myself a crash course in World Equestrian Center facts before they arrived, so off we went as I casually explained that the property spans more than 2,000 acres and includes 29 arenas, 25 barns and thousands of horse stalls. Basically, I was VERY committed to the role.
We stopped at a couple of beautiful locations for portraits, which gave me the perfect excuse to have my camera out and photograph the two of them without raising any suspicion. But I already knew where we were ultimately headed. While scouting the property, I had found a gorgeous field filled with fluffy purple flowers, with enormous live oaks dripping in Spanish moss in the distance. Chris loved it. I think we both knew this was going to be THE spot. There was just one tiny problem.
As I drove the golf cart toward the field, the cart suddenly started beeping.
RESTRICTED AREA. TURN AROUND.
I slowed down.
And then...
The golf cart completely disabled itself.
You cannot make this stuff up.
We hadn't quite reached the location Chris and I had planned, but we were close, and thankfully the area surrounding us was still beautiful. Without missing a beat, Chris suggested we get out and walk over to look at some "cool rocks." Lindsey appeared appropriately underwhelmed by the boulders, but she followed him.
Chris kept walking beyond them toward those beautiful moss-covered oak trees. I hung back with my camera, exactly where I needed to be and then he dropped to one knee. Lindsey's reaction was instantaneous.
She screamed YES, absolutely beaming from ear to ear. Every bit of planning, sneaking around, tour-guide improvising and even our rogue golf cart was worth it for that moment. It was joyful. It was genuine. And it was one of those proposals where you can't help but smile behind the camera because you're watching two people experience a moment they'll remember for the rest of their lives.
And because apparently this story needed one final plot twist, after the proposal poor Chris had to push our disabled golf cart out of the restricted zone before it would activate again. Nothing says romance quite like proposing to the love of your life beneath Spanish moss and then immediately pushing a golf cart in 90 degree Florida humidity.
Chris and Lindsey, thank you for letting me be part of such an incredible evening—and Lindsey, thank you for trusting your suspiciously knowledgeable "tour guide" when she kept making you stop for pictures. Congratulations, you two!!!
And Chris?
You absolutely nailed it.
Even if the golf cart didn't.
