There are some people that you want to be your neighbors. Paige Jones is one of them. And lucky for Jeff + Rachel, who just got engaged this past June after having been together 7 years, Paige is literally just a knock away and was beyond excited to capture their coastal love sesh. They’ll be getting married in Ohio next year, so for now these beautiful Cali photos + their sweet love story, will have to hold us over.
How the lovebirds met… It’s maybe the simplest story ever. Taking it back to 2006! Jeff moved out here from Ohio to go to school, where he ended up making friends and rooming with my childhood best friend’s older brother. Occasionally, her brother would make weekend trips home, bringing Jeff along. Then, one Friday he did…
Basically from there on out, it’s pretty much your basic teenage crushing…. I see him. I get weak in the knees. I tell my friend I think he is cute. She tells her brother. He tells Jeff. Then, Jeff asks me out on a date and I awkwardly say “yes”. Include a couple in betweens of the night, like maybe me challenging one of his friends to a rap-off, Will Smith style, and losing, obviously. Or, me burning a grilled cheese. And, you have history. Not too shabby for a couple of 19 year olds, right?
As embarrassing as that night was, it was also the first best night of my life. The second best night of my life was when he proposed.
Jeff and I are big campers. There is a place in Southern California close to my hometown that we really love, especially for a quick trip. It was where we got our first official family photo. Flash forward a year and a half later.
Jeff’s birthday was coming up and I wanted to do something special for him. We hadn’t been camping in some time, so I thought it would be really awesome to book our spot at this lake that we loved so much for a quick get away with some friends. Coincidentally, I ended up booking the exact same campsite we went to last time. The exact spot we took our first family photo.
On the last night, Jeff decided it would be really awesome to reenact that family photo, as we had rescued another dog just shortly after we did the last. He snagged our best dude, who shot the first one, and headed to our spot. We got situated, and Jeff placed his GoPro up to get some footage of this and the sunset. Mind you, this didn’t throw me off one bit, as Jeff has been documenting our whole year for a video to make for his parents back in Ohio. So, still I had no clue. Then it got weird. We were posing for SO long, and Jeff kept trying to maneuver himself to the opposite side of me. My mind started to race, but I dropped it quickly. Then, all of the sudden he manages to get himself in front of me, gets a handle of the dogs leashes, looks at me and reaches into his pocket. It was happening.
From there on out, I only remember bits and pieces of what he said, with the obvious exception of “will you be my wife?”. After 6 1/2 years together, I had never seen either of us so nervous. But, I do remember one thing very clearly… his face. So bright, tear-filled eyes, and the biggest smile I have ever seen him smile. He was so genuinely happy, and I was too.
In the end, I said yes. Our best dude got everything on camera, including a family photo, and we got to celebrate with some of our closest friends! It was the best birthday and engagement celebration ever.
Ok seriously, we could read proposal stories all day! Too cute. Congrats you guys!
We can’t share an engagement sesh photographed by Paige without sharing hers. If you haven’t seen her Iceland engagement photos or indie wedding you’re in for a beautiful treat.
