everyone has a story

Friday night I got off work and went out on a quest to take photographs. Why? That in itself is an entirely different story than the one I am about share. As I considered the various places to take photos, I could think of a few places but really wanted to photograph people. I had no clue how I would be able to do that exactly. Finally I just decided to go up to Vulcan. So around 7:00 pm, I drove to Vulcan Park & Museum on a mission to take sunset photos.

I decided to take the elevator instead of the stairs, since it is quite a climb and I wasn't in the mood to get really sweaty. As I got on the elevator, a young couple got on with me. When we reached the top, I walked over to the north side view facing downtown. A few moments later, the young man who was on the elevator walked over to me and said, "Hey, I'm going to propose to my girl friend, would you mind taking our photos?" I was rather stunned and excited and probably stood there frozen for about 20 seconds with a thousand thoughts soaring through my brain. Wait, are you talking to me?! You want me to take your photos?! No way is this really happening. Wow. I agreed to help him out and then sort of panicked and rejoiced all in the same moment. Oh, goodness! I'm not a photographer. This will be cool, but I'm not even sure I have witnessed a proposal before and I have to take pictures of one? Here goes nothing. 

About 5-10 minutes later, the couple walked over near me and then he "randomly" asked if I could take their picture. Well, of course I did. And then, he immediately began proposing to her. It was so fast, that I could hardly shoot the photos fast enough. Thankfully to God's guiding hand, I somehow managed to take some photos that were fair enough. If I had to be honest, I was completely overwhelmed. I hit the shutter like I was in a shooting range and hoped for the best. There was very little time for considering composition, framing, lighting, apertures, or anything else, but this was very on the spot. And once again, I'm not exactly a photographer. After the big moment and some of the excitement died down, we exchanged names and met officially. They told me that their names were Taylor and Shae. 

In spite of my faults, I went home with the photos on my camera and edited at the mercy of what I have, since I don't currently have any photography software on my computer (which will change very soon). After I sent the photos to them, I asked them if I could share their story on my blog. And they said yes. I went to Vulcan to capture Birmingham during sunset, and there was really not much of sunset that night. But instead, God had something else entirely in mind--the gift of photographing two beautiful people during one of the most memorable moments of their lives. It was an honor and a chance of a lifetime to be a part of this, and I wish them the very best. I wanted to share their story, because first I don't think it was random or by chance that I was given the gift to witness their special moment through the lens. And second, I think everyone has a story to tell and should be shared. This is theirs told by Shae via email. I decided to leave it in her words, since it is their story to share:

We are both from Louisiana. Taylor was the best man and I was a bridesmaid in our friends, Travis and Erika's wedding. Taylor was best friends with Travis from high school and Erika was one of my best friends from college. Erika kept trying to introduce us at her engagement party about a year and a half ago. I was too chicken because I had recently gotten out of a long relationship and Taylor lived in New Orleans, LA and I was in physician assistant school in Shreveport, LA (about 5 hours apart), so I just did not think it was the best timing. As the engagement party was almost over, Travis mentioned to Taylor that Erika had planned to introduce us, so Taylor took it upon himself to come introduce himself, and I am so thankful he was much braver than me. I realized after talking to him for 30 minutes that it was definitely worth a try. And one thing I definitely learned is that God's plan for our lives is far greater than anything we have planned for ourselves. After finishing school, I was able to move closer to Taylor to begin working in the emergency room. It was so great to no longer be in a long distance relationship. However, Taylor was working for a consulting firm on a project that was coming to an end and he had to begin finding a new job. After being on the job hunt for a few months, he had a great job opportunity here in Birmingham. After praying about it and visiting the city, it seemed like the right decision, although I knew that meant a long distance relationship once again. So Taylor moved here 1 week ago, and this was my first weekend visiting. I had just driven in Friday from Louisiana before we came to Vulcan Park. And the rest is history. Haha. So I will get to be a part of this awesome city after we get married. Being an LSU tiger, I never guessed my next move would be Alabama ; ). But once again, God keeps proving to me he has awesome plans I could never have come up with myself. 

Laura, I cannot say thank you enough for taking those pictures. Those will always be so precious to me. You being there Friday night is what I love to call a "Godwink" ; ). It is so funny, when Taylor and I first talked about getting engaged, I told him all I ask is that someone is there to take a picture of the moment so I could always have that memory. I remember telling him it doesn't have to be a professional, it can even be someone in the bushes with an iPhone. Taylor actually moved to Birmingham one week ago, so he didn't have anyone to take a picture, so you coincidently being there is one of my most favorite details of the night. So I truly cannot thank you enough.