at the mere mention of the story of how they got to be engaged, he laughs and touches her leg softly, while she shakes her head and smiles. you see, on a house boat amidst the beauty of Lake Powell, Jake grabbed two bottles of Corona and handed Dania (pronounced da nee a) her tennis shoes and suggested that they take a little hike -- that mountain over there. Despite Dania's record with injury, they make it to the top -- uninjured, unknowingly to Dania that they're in full view of their friends watching from the vast water below. Simply moved by how amazingly breath taking the view was, Dania burst into tears..and just then, their song, She's Everything (by Brad Paisley) filled the canyon walls. Jake took her hand and led her in a dance..he spoke of how much he loved her and how she really was his everything. and then he asked her if she knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life beside hers. And as she agreed, Jake slipped down onto one knee.
In sheer disbelief, she told him to get up and stop messing with her..but then. Oh then, he pulled the ring out from behind his back..Dania dropped to her knees, filled with such intense emotion, gasping for breath between tears of joy. A rupture of applause and screams of joy rose up from the waters below. All of their friends, witness to the new journey Dania & Jake were about to set upon.
The next day, Dania wandered back up that same mountain to drink in all the memories that were made the day before...and as she walked around, she fell and broke her toe, ripping a huge patch of skin, blood pouring out with each pulse. Jake came to her rescue and carried her back down the mountain. He cleaned and patched up her injury which has left her with a very permanent scar and a very permanent memory of the day that her love asked her to be his forever.
Jon's photo skills are seriously getting out of control. these next four absolutely blew me away. his ability to grab that natural sun flare amazes me each and every time. and those blue skies! I could just drink them up..
Dania and Jake are incorporating their son into their ceremony, so we took the opportunity to grab a few shots with him as well..
i looooooove this shot of momma and her boy...so sweet..
after our trek through the desert, we still had light to use up, so we drove around looking for another location when suddenly Jake remembered this fab waterfall fountain. now. I'm not usually a big fan of fountains, as I feel that they're far too used, and often not big enough to pack the punch I'm desiring, usually just feel...lacking. But this fountain. ah. this fountain made me realize that I may have stereo-typed fountains a wee bit unfairly.
Dania & Jake, your love makes me smile. You see, I have a special place in my heart for high school sweethearts (8th grade sweethearts, rather), as jon and I, too, have been in love since the days we walked hand in hand across the campus of Mountain View High School. And we are simply overjoyed to celebrate along side of you and capture this milestone of your love story as you two pledge your lives to each other amongst the trees of the Sedona forest. We are so very excited for the two of you and honored that you chose us. Thank you so much. from the depths of our hearts. love, ashley & jon
