for a couple of years now, you’ve seen the stories i’ve put up of my couples. about their love and their path to finding each other. telling love stories is what my job is all about. followers of jq photo know that’s what i love best about my job – telling peoples’ stories.
but this time, it’s about me and my billy and our love story. it’s about the eve of march 20th, 2013 which turned into the most incredible evening of my life. it’s about the tears of unmatched joy streaming from my face and billy being the reason for that joy. it’s about what he planned, how he executed, what went down. but mainly, it’s about us. about how we came to be. about fighting all odds. about falling in love when we didn’t even realize we were falling years ago. it’s about my dad telling my mom around that time that he knew i was going to marry billy someday. it’s about that night when billy called his mom at 2 am long before we were dating and asked, “mom what do i do? i think i’m falling in love with my best friend.”
it’s about our future together and all that’s to come.
this is the good stuff, people. the really fantastic, melt your heart (but mainly mine) stuff.
// the story //
as many of you know, i’ve been traveling a ton for business. it’s played to billy’s advantage, because, let’s face it. i can sniff anything out as soon as it’s happening. i know now that billy used my time away to set up meetings with the incredible t anthony jewelers of seattle. billy’s dad gave him his grandmother’s ring over christmas when we were in pittsburgh. billy’s had it ever since, using the stone from it and creating another setting perfect for me. i can’t wait to thank them personally for the beauty they helped billy bring to life for my finger. ring, check.
the little schemer was also setting up meetings with the crew over at sole repair shop. it’s a private event space over on capital hill in seattle. industrial. mood lighting. perfect layout for his plans. very me. it could not have been a more perfect spot. venue, check.
since being here, we’ve made friends with another couple from charlottesville who moved to seattle a little while ago. meredith and i became friends because we are both wedding photographers and instantly fell in love. the boys didn’t have a choice. billy called meredith up and asked her to pretend that she needed me to assist her for an engagement session with a seattle couple. she had me believing i was meeting her at sole repair shop to do the shoot there. genius. billy knows i would have never said no to a seattle photo session and he knew i would dress nice for the client. reason to be there, dress cute without him telling me to, and photographer, check check check.
so i show up. i walk in. and the second i do, “marry me” by train starts playing over the speakers in the entire room. i clearly knew then what was going on. one second i was gearing up mentally to meet a new couple. the next second, i knew i was getting engaged. surprise me to the point of no words, check.
there’s a note to me that reads “jo” on the front, just like billy always addresses me in every letter he writes to me. and it’s that little tiny tradition, that little bit of an endearing nickname, the one everyone calls me, that’s enough to give me chills when i see it. next to it, is the beginning of a giant red ribbon that simply says, “follow me” on it. so i do. with tears, check.
it’s a timeline of our story. with every bit of it written out all over the wall and through the room. hundreds of photos are pinned up of when we were younger. of our college days together when we were best friends. of our summer in dallas together right after college. of when we lived in chicago when everyone knew we loved each other but we just wouldn’t get together officially. of our past in chicago and present together here in seattle. heart & soul poured into creating something about us. major wow factor, check check. see for yourself.
i’m feeling it all at this point. he’s had me trace our story of past and present through the room and up a set of stairs to a balcony, to my future, all to the tune of “marry me.” i turn, full fledged sobbing mess and all. and he’s there behind me at the other end of the balcony. he’s sitting, leaned over, elbows on knees, crying and watching his girl walk through his story of us. and that right there is the most powerful moment i won’t ever forget. the entire affair, yes of course. but for me, the moment that no one else will ever see with their eyes except mine, that was it. my man, the one that NEVER cries, in tears of utter happiness. tears of recognition of how far we’ve come together, through the deepest of lows and highest of highs. he just hugs me and holds me for a bit, reminding me how much he loves me and kneels down to ask me. i never say a word the entire time i’m in that room until i say yes to him. loving me, holding me, kneeling down and asking me, all three checks.
and as we’re reveling in the moment, our song comes on- you send me by aretha franklin. “our song, babe!” “i know,” he says “i planned it like that.” of course he did. of course. and we dance, knowing the lyrics really ring true this time: ooh, it lasted so long, so long // now i find myself wanting you // i want you to marry me
// and if that wasn’t enough //
BILLY ARRANGED FOR OUR FAMILIES AND MY BEST FRIENDS TO BE THERE! the day before, billy was asking me about go to meeting and if i had ever used it for online presentations at my marketing jobs. we chatted about it while he was at work and now i know that he was researching a way for all of them to watch me from his computer as i walked through the story of us. i had no idea of course, i thought the computer just had the music coming from it when i saw it in the corner of the room. but they got to be there. and all of us from all over the country- florida, maryland, kansas city, pittsburgh, north carolina, dallas- we all got to experience it together. and cry together apparently. you gotta really love technology. i mean, really. COOLEST THING EVER! good lord, that man. find a way to share the moment with our nearest & dearest, check freakin check.
you can watch a spotty video of them watching me and wiping their noses (and christin’s background texting noises) here. i adore jenna’s goofy grin and christin’s comments like i’m on an episode of the bachelor(ette). there’s also a video of me realizing they were there the whole time just seconds after we got engaged here! FREAKING OUT. my bestie, christin recorded it on her phone from her home in florida, cause that’s what bffs do. nothing too fancy. but you get to see me as a blubbering fool.
meredith and her fiance kevin show up and after i give her a rough time for lying to me so much, we take some photos. cause the light’s awesome outside. duh. but as a wedding photographer myself, i sort of flail in front of the camera- something i’m gonna have to put on lockdown in the next few months here. although, normal always-behind-the-camera behavior, i’m sure. love some of the images she captured of us right after our special moment, puffy eyes, geeky smiles, kisses and all.
and oh yeah, that perfect, perfect ring that i look at every 4.3 seconds, on average.
*and for daddy from his little girl – like i always said every single night as a little girl “goodnight daddy, when i wake up tomorrow it will be a surprise.” for a girl who’s always sworn by surprises and waited upon them daily- this was the greatest of all. all the boxes, checked. everything i dreamed of as that little girl and more, check. i found him, daddy. i found him, mom. i found him, kyle. i found him, girls. his name’s billy and i’m gonna marry him.
thanks for reading. thanks for sharing in our joy. we truly couldn’t be happier. because happy is what happens when all of your dreams come true.
Love you both so much! I cant believe how you just put these words together and whip up these amazing blogs! You will have this amazing engagement story forever! Love you so much and congrats!!!!
Jordan, you have me in tears over here!! That is such an incredible story, and I can’t begin to express how excited I am for you. You have definitely found yourself an amazing guy, who apparently has that same attention to detail that you put into each of your weddings. I can’t wait to see all of your planning details come together, and wish you the best of luck!!CONGRATULATIONS!!! : )
SO HAPPY FOR YOU JORDAN!!! That proposal is what movies are made of. I wish you all the happiness in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD.mucho love for MYMOM-Karlyn
What a beautiful story of love. I have tears in my eyes now. Thanks Jordan ;) for the short time I’ve known you and the years Jason has known you, we both want to say congratulations and that we’re so thrilled for the both of you. Beautiful ring and what a thoughtful and heartwarming engagement surprise story! He’s a keeper, for sure ;) xoxo
Wow, you’ve officially been the first person ever to make me cry over such a sweet, romantic story. I don’t cray at movies, love songs or stories, but you my dear have succeeded. What an amazing proposal and ring. I don’t know you, other than the times you’ve taken my amazing photos…but I always thought when are these two beautiful people getting engaged? Now the time has come, and I can’t wait to see the photos and hear about another one of your “best days of your life.”
Oh Jordan! You are such a creative lady and Billy must be wonderful, as well! I am so happy for you two! God bless you!
Jordan,This story… is just beautiful. Had TEARS IN MY EYES!! The whole scenario was just perfect and amazing- fitting for an incredible person like you. I’m so encouraged by this as it has unraveled- that the most “solid” relationships are also the most confusing.. soul-searching.. vulnerable… and yet the most beautiful as the couple pushes each other in love to grow and become even better. Can’t wait to see more pictures and I’ll be praying for you two the very best- for even more love and joy as each day passes :)
Much love,Lisa
I’m a blubbering mess over here. Beautiful!
Hi Jordan,You may not remember me, but I met you 5 years ago at a NC beach house Kim rented to celebrate Billy’s college graduation. My husband, John, and our then 3 year old son, Chase, and I stayed for a few days and had a ton of fun. Chase innocently asked Kim “is that your baby boy?” and the nick name has stuck! (at least between Kim & I).Anyhow, she has kept me posted on your moves with Billy to ORD and now SEA.I am bawling my eyes out after reading your engagement story! You have such a way with words and it sounds like Billy has a way with creativity! I’ve always told Kim that I’ll be thrilled if Chase turns out to be even 1/2 the boy Billy is. You sure have a gem of a guy!Our deepest congratulations on your engagement!!!!!!!!Much love,Kate Minor, Kim’s USAIrways pal from PHL
so awesome! what’s crazy is that Chad had SUCH a similar deal – he wrote a poem to me in third person – “The boy, the girl.” SO cool! And Billy, you’re awesome! Way to treat the creative to such an amazing walk through her life! SO nailed it.
My name is Grace and I own Sole Repair Shop. Your story is so lovely! Thank you for choosing our space/venue to experience this amazing moment. We are so happy to be part of it. We wish you the best! Love ~ everyone at Sole Repair!
A week later and I am still awestruck over the whole thing! My baby boy and his sweet girl – engaged! Well done, Billy – we could not have asked for a better “daughter” and Jordan – well, you’ve heard it before – I made a wish, and you came true!
I know I have never actually met you but your story is so precious and Danny and i wish you EVERY happiness for years and years to come. Thank you for sharing that sweet story…it made my day!! oh, and welcome to the Smith family :)
anddd I’m crying at work. amazing!
https://over-the-counter-drug.com/# flonase over the counter
https://amoxil.science/# how much is amoxicillin
[url=https://stromectol.science/#]cheap stromectol[/url] minocycline for acne
https://stromectol.science/# minocycline generic name
https://doxycycline.science/# buy cheap doxycycline
[url=https://zithromax.science/#]generic zithromax[/url] zithromax price south africa
https://amoxil.science/# amoxicillin 500mg buy online uk
https://amoxil.science/# generic amoxicillin
[url=https://stromectol.science/#]stromectol pills[/url] stromectol generic
Drugs information sheet. Some trends of drugs.
ivermectin 12
Learn about the side effects, dosages, and interactions. Everything what you want to know about pills.
Everything about medicine. drug information and news for professionals and consumers.
https://stromectolst.com/# ivermectin 9 mg
Medscape Drugs & Diseases. Read now.
Top 100 Searched Drugs. Cautions.
[url=https://stromectolst.com/#]buy ivermectin cream[/url]
Read here. Generic Name.
Definitive journal of drugs and therapeutics. Commonly Used Drugs Charts.
buy ivermectin pills
Read information now. Top 100 Searched Drugs.
Everything about medicine. Read now.
stromectol over the counter
Read now. Learn about the side effects, dosages, and interactions.
Definitive journal of drugs and therapeutics. Commonly Used Drugs Charts.
[url=https://stromectolst.com/#]ivermectin 1% cream generic[/url]
Read information now. Generic Name.
What side effects can this medication cause? Top 100 Searched Drugs.
purchase oral ivermectin
Some are medicines that help people when doctors prescribe. п»їMedicament prescribing information.
Learn about the side effects, dosages, and interactions. Definitive journal of drugs and therapeutics.
https://stromectolst.com/# stromectol nz
Some trends of drugs. Learn about the side effects, dosages, and interactions.
Actual trends of drug. Read here.
[url=https://stromectolst.com/#]how much does ivermectin cost[/url]
Long-Term Effects. Medicament prescribing information.
Read now. Get here.
https://stromectolst.com/# ivermectin cost canada
Read here. Read now.
Drugs information sheet. Prescription Drug Information, Interactions & Side.
[url=https://stromectolst.com/#]ivermectin where to buy[/url]
Cautions. Some are medicines that help people when doctors prescribe.
Get warning information here. Actual trends of drug.
ivermectin purchase
Commonly Used Drugs Charts. Medscape Drugs & Diseases.
Medscape Drugs & Diseases. Get here.
ivermectin price uk
Long-Term Effects. Drug information.
Get here. drug information and news for professionals and consumers.
[url=https://stromectolst.com/#]ivermectin lotion for lice[/url]
Generic Name. Everything what you want to know about pills.
Read here. All trends of medicament.
https://stromectolst.com/# stromectol ivermectin tablets
Get here. Read information now.
Everything about medicine. Prescription Drug Information, Interactions & Side.
https://stromectolst.com/# ivermectin price
Everything information about medication. Drug information.
Definitive journal of drugs and therapeutics. Actual trends of drug.
https://mobic.store/# mobic without insurance
Medscape Drugs & Diseases. Prescription Drug Information, Interactions & Side.
Medscape Drugs & Diseases. What side effects can this medication cause? how to get generic avodart without prescription
Some trends of drugs. Get information now.