I had never been on a cruise before. Neither had she. Let me tell you, booking a cruise to the Bahama's during early February was an awesome idea! Not only did it give a good backdrop to get engaged, it was perfect for curing those winter blah's. It was like stepping into the middle of summer!
Perfect blue water, white sand beaches, cheap Caribbean rum, it was all there! Just like in the movies! Here are a few shots from our trip!
We set off from Charleston, SC
Top of the ship
The main area of the ship
Alright let me rant for a second here... These "photographers" on the ship are a total crock! This was one of the backdrops they were using to take beautiful "portraits" in front of! Not only do they use a full on frontal flash, they try to charge you 22$ for a mediocre 8x10" print of each image! Alright back to my photos...
Oh yea... I got engaged! Thank you to the people sitting in front of me for taking this!
Welcome to Freeport Bahamas, now buy our junk souvenirs!
Yup, Caribbean rum is pretty cheap down there (just not on the ship)!
Ya Mon!
Back to shopping
This dude was pretty cool
I'm pretty sure I've never seen a tree like this before
Post card anyone?
One of J. Jones Hotel's newest models
Who's that pretty fiance?
One of carnival's awesome towel creations!
Then we decided to do a little self timer engagement session...
Next stop, Nassau Bahamas
Getting ready to go snorkeling, wow that made me want an underwater camera!
Just a quick sneak peak from Abby and John's wedding a couple weeks ago at Westminster Presbyterian Church here in Greenville, SC! As usual, many more coming soon!
The main sanctuary at Westminster Presbyterian Church
I couldn't take my eyes off of it. It was just so beautiful. Debra's engagement ring looked better than I ever imagined. It was the product of a lot of hard earned money and it is now the symbol of the love I have for Debra. I couldn't wait to give it to her so I could see it more frequently! Now that has finally come true!
Here are a few of my favorites from my photoshoot with it just a little over a week ago!
A nice box is a good place to start
Loved the diamonds around the sides!
Careful!
Ladies, do you want some professional shots of your ring like these? Contact me for pricing and for a time to setup a shoot! It doesn't take long and you don't even have to smile for the photos!
What should I get Debra for Christmas? Last year I got her a Nikon D50... how can I possibly top that!
Mid December 2010:
Lets see... she likes dancing, she likes adventure, she likes exotic food, she likes exploration... She's never been on a cruise, in fact, neither have I! How about a cruise, and how about using it as an awesome place to get engaged (as long as she is a good girl!)
Christmas +/- 3 Days:
Josh gives Debra poem about how many crazy things Debra has gone through, and yet we have stayed together the whole time. Josh gives Debra the dates for the cruise! Debra is excited, but not as much as Josh thought. The slippers Josh also gave her helped marginally.
Josh and Debra drive all the way to Rochester, NY from Greenville, SC without fighting! Josh drives Debra out to Albany, NY to visit with her parents. Pretending to leave, Josh secretly meets with Deb's parents to ask for their permission to marry their daughter. Access granted.
Early January:
Josh starts ring shopping, doesn't tell Debra. Finds a very beautiful one. Debra gets more and more excited about cruise.
Mid January:
Josh orders ring. Waits desperately for its arrival.
January 27th, 2011:
Third year anniversary dinner. Excitement for cruise builds. Ring arrives, Josh takes lots of photos of it after Debra leaves.
Feb 2nd, 2011:
Josh and Debra takeoff for Nassau and Freeport, Bahamas. Josh gets scared ring will set off security scanners.
Feb 3rd, 2011:
Josh and Debra get ready for formal dinner night. Debra looks beautiful. Really beautiful.
Hot!
Josh notices an interesting event going on later in the evening called the "game of love" game show. Debra tells Josh its only for married couples. Josh tells Debra no. Josh talks to assistant cruise director while Debra waits in the lobby. Josh secretly asks cruise director if he can incorporate a proposal into the game of love. Josh tells Debra that cruise director said anyone can go to the game of love show, not just married couples.
Josh and Debra eat some lobster tails. Josh asks Debra if she would consider marrying him. Debra says yes. Debra asks if Josh would consider marrying her. Josh says he is 99% sure. Debra gets angry. Josh calms Debra down and heads for the bathroom. Josh stops to talk to cruise director on the way to make sure everything is ready for later that night. Cruise director says its all ready to go. Josh recruits half of the cruise photographers to be at the game of love show later that evening.
Debra and Josh watch a Broadway style show. Josh feels his stomach turn to mush. Broadway show ends and Josh and Debra move toward the center to get closer seats. Josh and Debra talk to people sitting in front of them. Josh asks them to hold his camera just in case they get called up on stage.
And the show starts...
And thats about it! We spent the rest of the evening enjoying that Champagne, seeing a comedy show, and waiting for this video to be shown on the closed circuit television on the ship.
I am so lucky to be with a woman so caring, so beautiful, so in love with God, so selfless, and so in love with me. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you Debra!
