The cool lake breeze gently whipped my hair around my face. Every few minutes a wave would crash over the barrier at McKinley Marina. I was waiting. My phone buzzed. I looked down. A new message, “Pulling in” flashed across the screen. It was time.

I looked around in anticipation. A couple was walking towards me down the pier. Was this them? I quickly checked the description I was sent earlier – gray sweater, jeans, black jacket and black jeans. This wasn’t them. I kept walking, pretending to take photos of the Milwaukee skyline as the sun set in the distance.

Then I see them, walking hand in hand. The other couple was in my way, so I needed to get past them. I walked quickly hoping that she wouldn’t notice my two large cameras dangling at my side. I walked on the icy pavement, almost falling but catching myself. My heart was racing. They had stopped and were leaning against the concrete barrier. I still wasn’t in the spot I wanted to be so I quickly made my way to my spot. There was no place for me to hide so I had to look natural.

Then I see it – the cue. Grant pulled Jacey in for a big hug. I could start to see her getting emotional as her hands went up to her face. I could tell she was starting to cry. I started snapping.

Then it happened. The moment Grant had been planning for weeks. He dropped to one knee, ring box in hand. Jacey was overcome with emotion. It was obvious she had said yes. Grant slipped the ring on her finger and they both relished in the moment – they were engaged!

Grant and Jacey have been together for five years. They met during their time in undergrad at Northern Iowa. After undergrad they dated long distance for a couple years while they both got their masters at separate schools. Their love stood strong though, and they both found jobs in Milwaukee. Everyone had been asking them when they were going to get engaged, but Grant had a plan.

When they were both back in Iowa for Thanksgiving, Grant found a time to ask Jacey’s parents if he could marry her. He revealed that he didn’t have an exact date planned but wanted to propose before Christmas.

Things started to come together for the proposal. They had a dinner reservation at their favorite restaurant, Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro. But Grant needed a reason for them to walk down on the McKinley park pier, a place where they had taken many walks together and where he wanted to get down on one knee. He came up with an idea that there would be an event with some old-school boats in the marina for the weekend.

He told Jacey his excuse and she quickly jumped on Google in an attempt to learn more about the event. When she didn’t find anything, she asked Grant if he was sure this was happening. Thinking quickly on his feet, Grant mentioned that he heard about it from coworkers that it wasn’t a big event, but it was most definitely happening.

Grant left work early on the day of the proposal – they had to get to the pier before the sun set. Jacey thought that was strange because he never leaves work early! Even as they started walking along the pier, Jacey was skeptical. Was he sure they were in the right place? Were there really old-school boats at the marina in December?! Grant kept his cool though.

The whole moment flew by so fast – it was an emotional blur. As we were taking a few portraits after the proposal, Jacey exclaimed “Did you even get down on one knee? I really don’t remember!” I showed her the back of my camera as proof that he did, indeed, get down on one knee.

Thank you Grant for asking me to photograph this moment for you two. I hope you can cherish these for years to come.