Surprise Engagement. Santa Monica

Love is… all warm and fuzzy like a comforter straight out of the dryer. It has that special warmth to make you feel safe and it smothers the cold right out from under your toes.  Watching love grow is another snuggly security blanket because it reminds me that love is wonderful, magical, and beautiful with every relationship. I’ve been watching a true love affair unfold right before my eyes. And, no, not a Brad Pitt and Angelina affair, but a Noah and Allie type (from ‘The Notebook’). The kind of relationship that is going to last forever. After laughing, hugging, and just plain hanging out with two of my favorite people, my best friend and her boyfriend, I had the honor of witnessing another amazing moment in their love affair, their proposal. Yes, I said it. I had a front row seat to my best friend’s surprise proposal. Marco, her newly fiance, asked me to photograph this momentous event. He wanted me to capture his love for the girl he wants to be with for the rest of his life, Lisett. “Yes, yes, yes,” I replied. I was so extatic that for a moment I felt like I was being proposed to. I couldn’t believe I kept this ginormous secret for like ever. Five whole days feels like an eternity when the person you tell your juiciest secrets to is off limits. So I did what any amazing best friend would do- start mentally planing the wedding for her. Well, I don’t want her to get behind on any of the details (ahem…the bride’s maids dresses). Before I knew it…

the afternoon had arrived and I found myself pacing here.
I wanted to make sure Lisett and Marco had memories of the details from that afternoon at the Santa Monica Pier.
Marco was very cool and collective in his casual blazer, white button-up shirt, and blue jeans. Lisett looked beautiful as always with her Treseme-like hairdo and perfeclty pedicured toes.
Little did she know that the cartoonist was in on Marco’s surprise proposal. But what was he drawing?
Marco is either so excited that Lisett has no clue, or he is just a camera ham. Ha!

See what I mean, true love.Waiting.

He is definitely trying to distract her from peeking at this…
Marco you are a sly one…wait for it.

And her first reaction to the knee hitting the pavement. Priceless.I was so excited my hands were shaking.
Let me introduce you to the future Mr. & Mrs. Guzman.

After they had a ‘lil mini shoot with the artist that helped make Lisett’s dreams come true.
One more for the scrapbook. Oh didn’t you know Lisett was an avid scrapbooker?

L is for the way you look at me…O is for the only one I see. Sorry but every time I hear wedding bells I think of ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’. Hey, and this actually will be my best friend’s wedding. Double ha!
I had to end with this incredibly touching moment of Lisett and her mommy embracing and rejoicing with tears of happiness.