Will You Marry Me?

April 13, 2010

 "Will You Marry Me?" is usually how it all starts to the whirlwind of crazy wedding planning, choosing of colors, centerpieces, & the dress and so on. Of course it all starts long before that with the first date ;)

But what about pictures? How will you show to your family and friends and future children of that love and excitement in the beginning stages of your life together? Well, that is why we offered a chance for our bride & grooms to show their love by getting the chance to win a free engagement! We have heard/read the proposal stories and have it down to 2 best proposals. Now, all you have to do is send in your vote of your favorite. Both have surprise factor!

Email us your vote to cory@adaphoto.com with the subject reading: Best Proposal. Here are the stories below.

Randy + Alicia

In order to understand our engagement story, I must provide you with some back story. Randy and I met in college and began dating in November 2005 which was Randy's last semester in school. We dated for about 2 months and then Randy got this great opportunity to work overseas for 4 months with NFL Europe. We had to spend our "honeymoon period" of dating separated. But, as you can imagine, once he returned to Indiana, our time was that much better because we were so excited to be reunited. One summer night, shortly after he returned, we decided to take a walk on the Anderson University campus. We walked to Helios, a fountain on campus and Randy got in and invited me to join. I was really worried b/c we could get in trouble, but he insisted and picked me up. He pretended to drop me in the water and I freaked out. That must have been the signal he wanted because he then gently laid me down in the water and started cracking up because there was nothing I could do about it. We started laughing hysterically and that memory has been one of our favorites.

With that understanding, I will get into our engagement story. On about September 4, 2009, Randy asked if I wanted to go to dinner with some friends in Anderson. I agreed and we decided on September 9th because that was the best day for me. I am in law school and for some reason that day, I told two of my classmates that I thought he might propose that night. With that in my mind, I went to Randy's house and he was acting TOTALLY normal! I thought for sure I would be able to tell when he was going to propose b/c he cannot keep a secret from me when he is excited, but he definitely did a great job. He took his time getting ready and kind of complained about having to drive all of the way to Anderson. We are on our way down and he fakes a phone call with the people we are supposed to meet and it turns out they are going to be late for dinner. I play right into his hand and suggest going to the Anderson University campus to walk around b/c it was a nice night. We walked for about 45 minutes and by this time I was super hungry! We finally end our walk at Helios, the fountain, and sit there for another 30 minutes (he was working up his courage!). At this time, I think I know what he is going to do, but I'm also trying to not get my hopes up. He then gets into the fountain and asks me if I wanted to swim. I laughed and said...no! Well he grabbed me anyway and picked me up and gently laid me in the water and then put the ring in front of my face and said, "Will you be my wife?" I of course said "Yes!!" We hugged in the water and then got out. At that point he told me that he had made up the dinner plans. We started walking back to the car, soaking wet, and shivered the entire drive home to Indianapolis. Of course, it didn't matter! When we arrived at his place, his roommates were waiting with champagne to congratulate us! It was perfect: true to us and very thoughtful! I can't wait until September 5!!

Kyle + Jennifer

It was finally Spring Break! I had planned a cruise to the Bahamas with 4 of my best friends for the past year. On March 14 the girls and I arrived to Orlando, Florida to hang out for the day before our cruise left the next morning. The girls decided that we should get “really cute” for church that morning and one friend made sure that my nails were painted. I was clueless. Little did I know I would be getting engaged just hours later!!! We went to the church that we have gone to for the past few summers at the Orlando Project and then headed to the beloved Universal Studios to take our traditional pictures in front of the globe. When we were walking through the entrance I took a photo on my phone of the Universal sign and sent it to Kyle Plumlee, my now fiancé, saying “this is where it all began babe!” Because we had met in Orlando three years ago and he told me after we started dating that it was the first summer at the Orlando Project in 2007 that he started liking me. Such patience!!
Well, back to the story, so the girls and I decided to head to Portofino Bay for lunch, because it has been such a special place to us for the past few summers. When we were sitting at a table deciding where to eat I looked out of the corner of my eye and saw a guy video taping something, but I could not tell who it was. When I looked across Portofino Bay to see what he was taping I saw Kyle walking across with a bible. I looked at the girls and they were all staring at me! I said, “what is he doing here”? They said, “go over there and see him!” I slowly, as he says, painfully slowly walked over towards him. I was so surprised and excited to see him! I said, “what are you doing here”? He replied, “I wanted to see you before you left. I told you I would drive hours to give you a hug. Well I had a lot of time to think in the car ride… and I thought a lot about that verse we always talk about, Proverbs 3:5-6 ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight.’ Well it’s neat, because as I have trusted the Lord for the past few years he has led my path straight to you. I want to tell you something, but I promised I wouldn’t until I put this ring on your finger.” And he got down on one knee and pulled the ring out of the bible!! And he said, “I love you, will you marry me”? And I said, “YES I love you too!!”
We then turned around to see our friends coming towards us taking pictures and videoing the whole thing. It was so special to have them all there with us and for Kyle and I to get engaged at the place we first met!! The crazy part is that he drove 15 hours from Indiana to Florida to propose and then had to leave 4 hours later for a basketball tournament. So he then drove 15 hours back that night! What a STUD! We will be getting married on August 15 this year and are super excited!