Reise & Tegan ::: Kenosha Lighthouse Proposal

I’ve been reflecting these past few days about what a special job being a photographer is. There are so many moments, emotions, and occasions in life and I get a first hand chance to capture. It almost gives me a reason to be places I typically wouldn’t be and for that I am grateful. This past Saturday was one of those special times. Tegan and I go way back to high school. She is one of my oldest, dearest friends and we have been through so much together. I could literally gush about her and how much her friendship means to me but I will save that for later6 & 1/2 years ago, she started dating this kid Reise from Sycamore. I actually helped introduce them and I remember their first meeting at our church in the youth room. So I always take a little credit for thatI have watched these two literally grow up and fall in love together. You may have seen their faces on here a few times because they are the perfect models! They have provided an example of a solid, Christian relationship and the Lord’s work is SO evidant in their lives. I look up to their relationship and aspire to it in my future relationship! Reise cares for Tegan so perfectly and is her strong, steady, and calm in the midst of storms. And Tegan adores, supports, and loves Reise so deeply. One of my favorite things about them is that they still have that spark after dating so long. Tegan still texts me after dates that he gives her the butterflys and that is rare these days. They just being together and their kindness to each other is so refreshing to see.

So a few weeks ago, Reise sent me a text that it was time and he wanted me there. The tears started because I knew how much Tegan had wanted this and how many conversations we had dreaming of the day Reise would propose. Kenosha has always been a special place to Tegan. We went there for a photoshoot last year and we both fell in love with it’s lake views, lighthouses, and adorable storefronts. She mentioned over and over how she would love to take Reise and plan an epic date. So when we were planning, Reise had the idea to propose in Kenosha. He said he wanted to create new memories for them there and have a place to call their own special date spot. It just so happened that I had an engagement session in Kenosha this past Saturday and Tegan was free to be my assistant. So after many texts and secret phone calls, Reise and I had a plan that this was the day he would ask her to be his for a lifetime. I was a nervous wreck because I wanted it to work out perfectly. I guess in my nervousness I just couldn’t stop eating my macadamia nuts. Tegan and I had a laugh last night because she wasn’t sure why I was eating so many nuts and why I was crabby. It was difficult though because I had 90 min in the car on the way to Kenosha with her and all she could talk about was she wonders when Reise would propose. I had to put my acting hat on and it was so hard not to give anything away. At the end of the engagement session, I told Matt & Emily (shoutout to them for being on board with all of this) that we needed to go back to the lighthouse for sunset photos. Once we got there, I told Tegan to stand there and be a light tester. After I saw Reise approaching, I told her I had something for her and I handed her a letter. The rest is history and here are the photos to prove itShe was in such shock that she barely even cried when it happen. The tears hit later when we were in the car: ) All of the stress and secrets were so worth it and I am so excited for these two and their next season!!!