MATHESON HAMMOCK PARK ENGAGEMENTS

“There isn’t anyone I’d rather continue this journey with than Ana.”

Happy Thursday my dearest friends! I’ve got for you all an engagement session that’s been giving me all the feels while editing. Perhaps it’s because I personally knew the couple before they were an item and way before I ever dreamed I would be their wedding photographer. Meet Ana and Aren (love the way their names sound together by the way). We spent a very cloudy and windy (the windiest I’d say) afternoon exploring Matheson Hammock Park searching for all the Spanish moss and documenting these two adorable love. I was told before hand that they weren’t the “cutesy couple” but I beg to differ after this session. But I’ll let the pictures and their own stories do all the talking…

“Aren overall is a great guy, and not just to brag but he has qualities that I feel any girl would want in a significant other. He is generous, family oriented, kind, funny, intelligent, CUTE (duh), hard working, and the list goes on and on. My favorite trait, however, is that he is probably one of the most selfless individuals I have EVER met. Will do almost anything without expecting anything in return. He feels good when he does things for others and he enjoys doing things for me from the bottom of his heart. Sometimes I wish I was more like him, that I could do the same things he does for me so easily without even thinking about it. Everyone always says how he’s so lucky to have me (probably because they think I’m pretty) but deep down, I know that in reality I am the lucky one to have him.”

“We had a trip planned to Vegas in December for his cousin’s 40th birthday. In my head I was CONVINCED he would propose in Vegas but at the same time I was not sure if him proposing in the middle of a birthday bash was the best plan. Anyways, the trip comes and I am super nervous!. I keep thinking about how I’m going to react, how I want to react, am I going to cry?, am I going to be one of those people that says nothing?, does his family know?, do they approve?, what if no one likes the ring? etc. The day we arrive he starts unpacking his suitcase right in front of me and I obviously start to freak out because he KNOWS I am dissecting every inch of that suitcase while he’s unpacking but I said nothing. The next morning I’m super heart broken talking to my best friend about how disappointed I was that he did not bring a ring but that I was not going to allow it to ruin the trip, after all we were in Vegas! 

Third night we had bought some tickets to go on this new, super tall, fancy, ferris wheel called the “High Roller”. They put you in these huge pods that fit around 30 people, you can take your own alcohol, or even purchase tickets for a pod with open bar. We were running late (as usual, because of me) so  Aren and I basically ran across all 10 lanes of Las Vegas Boulevard, down the shopping center before we made it to this ferris wheel. We brought our own alcohol and were all already tipsy. The view was so beautiful, by the time we made the line and got on, the sun had already set and you could see the entire strip. What I did not know was that apparently they do a countdown as you reach the highest point of the ferris wheel. Right before we made it to the top I decided to open my Snapchat so that I could record a video but for some reason my internet was not working and I got caught up re-booting the app. As we get closer to the top everyone decides to group up to “take a picture”. I, of course, was still in la-la-land trying to fix the application (how ridiculous). After we made it to the top, Aren reaches for my hand and says, “Remember how you’ve been asking about the ring?” Gets down on one knee, opens the box, and says nothing else. 😂😂

I, was obviously freaking out. Someone yells out, “What did she say?!” So I say, “Yes!” We kiss, and still no ring on my finger! I had to tell him to put it on. 😂😂 So basically, the whole family knew even before the trip, and Aren dashed across Las Vegas Boulevard with the ring in his crotch area! Oh yeah and he had hid it inside a shoe. 😏”

Ana’s beautiful ring holds a very special sentiment since it carries a family heirloom. The center diamond was given to Aren by his mother, previously owned by his great grandmother. This next shot is one of my favorites!!

Doesn’t it seem like we’re experiencing fall weather? Leave it to South Florida to do so in March!

“He has supported my career 100% and understands that I am not a housewife, he is ok with the fact that I don’t cook, or iron, or do all those housewife things that others do because he knows I’ve spent my life with my head in a book. I am just not engineered that way, never have been. He doesn’t demand for dinner to be ready or for his laundry to be done. He accepts me the way I am and still decided to put a ring on it! I won’t say I am not scared to get married, but I find comfort in knowing that I couldn’t have chosen a more perfect person (for me) to spend the rest of my life with. I CANNOT WAIT!!!” – Ana

“When we first started this journey, I had no idea what it was like to be in love and share a life with someone. She showed patience even when I know it definitely wasn’t the easiest. We’ve come a long way over the last six years. We’ve had many educational and professional successes to many emotional loses. Throughout it all Ana has shown me what unconditional love looks and feels like. I can tell you one thing, there isn’t anyone I’d rather continue this journey with than Ana.” – Aren

The wind was so killer that we quickly ran to the car to warm up… Miami never ceases to surprise me. I am so excited to keep documenting your love story Ana & Aren! I also cannot wait for January to come!