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Haley + Nathaniel

their engagement story

By K. Renee Photography

May 7^th, 2019

Haley and Nathaniel started dating in October of 2017. Since then, anyone who had a moment to watch saw these two fall more and more in love with every day. Practically inseparable, they do just about everything together. It took no time at all for Nathaniel to feel right at home with her family, which is impressive because I'll be the first to tell you - they're weird. Somewhere through all the memes, vines, impromptu wrestling moves, barbels, naps and sushi - they were perfect for each other.

When Nathaniel told me he wanted me to capture their engagement, I was ecstatic. For those of you that know Haley, you know how emotional and excited she can get. Now multiply that by about 3,000 and you just might scratch the surface of how she feels about anything Nathaniel does. Even the way he breathes is magical to her. She literally squeaks with excitement when he walks into a room. And Nathaniel feels the same way, if not a little more, about Haley.

Nathaniel and I quietly hatched a plan to get the three of us together, with nice weather, a dolled up Haley and a camera. Graduation pictures had already been planned and since Purdue meant so much to them (it is what brought them together after all) it seemed like the perfect opportunity.

We started the shoot just like any other graduation session, just wandering around campus until Nathaniel found the perfect spot and moment to pop the question. All with Haley none the wiser that she wouldn't be leaving as his girlfriend.

Then He found it

Purdue's Bell Tower holds its share of superstitions. The most famous? If you walk under it during your time as a student at Purdue then you won't graduate in four years. It's entertaining to watch really. All the underclassmen avoid walking under it and actively part ways at its base like there's some sort of force field around it. No one wants to tempt fate.

That is, of course, until the glorious day when all their finals are done, all the grades are in, and they try on that cap and gown. Then everyone runs to it.

Haley and Nathaniel were no different. Hand in hand, they decided they wanted to do it the same way they were going to do the next chapter of their lives, together.

I've shot people walking under the Bell Tower for the first time more than I could try to count but my absolutely favorite part is that the first thing every single person does is look up, like that's where they hid the ending credits scene for Endgame (I'm not the only one that still feels betrayed by that right?).

There is a lesser known superstition as well, though this one is a lot less feared.

They say that if two people kiss under the Bell Tower that they'll eventually marry.

So of course our two love birds were going to share a kiss, this is an engagement story after all, what did you think was gonna happen?

"well i guess we just have to get married now"

Haley laughed it off.

Then Nathaniel starts posing Haley for the next shot.

All smiles and silly faces, Haley had no idea what he was actually doing back there. Fumbling every so quietly to get the ring he had been hiding for a month right under her nose - out of his sock. The only place we could be sure that Haley wouldn't accidentally grab during shoot before hand.

"You've been saying you want to marry me, but will you?"

and she said yes

& then in true Haley and Nathaniel fashion, a dance party ensued.

Just like that, they were no longer boyfriend and girlfriend, but they were fiancés. After a quick discussion on the difference between a male fiancé and female fiancée, we popped some bottles to celebrate.

Then last but not least: we still had to finish the graduation shoot. The only difference now was a nice big rock front and center and a slightly more at ease Nathaniel. [okay graduation pictures were definitely least of the day, but it’s hard to top a giant diamond]