Okay. Deep breath. Because this isn’t just a blog, it’s the most emotional, joy-filled, utterly life-changing story I’ve ever lived through. This backyard moment wasn’t just a proposal. It was a full-circle, heart-squeezing, family-rooted love story, the kind that only makes sense when you’re in it. And yes, somehow, I planned my own surprise proposal without even knowing it!

A Family Tradition With Deeper Meaning

Every year, my family takes a big group photo, like, the kind I meticulously face swap until it’s canvas-ready for my parents’ wall. But this year was different. On April 6th, Hunter came into town to spend what we knew would be one of the final weekends with my dad. After a long, brave fight with cancer that had spread to his liver, we had just learned he only had a few weeks left. It was heartbreaking. Heavy. And somehow, still full of light. That’s why I’d planned this year’s family photo, to include everyone. My niece hadn’t been in last year’s, and neither had Hunter. I wanted one last perfect snapshot for my dad. So we gathered in the backyard, hearts full and heavy, thinking we were simply capturing family history! Spoiler alert: we were. Just not in the way I expected.

The Moment Everything Shifted – Proposal Style

After the big group shot (and yes, my face-swapping brain was already in high gear), we started taking smaller groupings. My sister with my dad. My brothers with their kids. And then Hunter looked at me and said, “Can we get one of just us?” Naturally, I responded with a sassy “Why?” because hello, I’m a photographer, I’m nosy, and I thought I was running the show. But then… I saw it. My mom subtly pulling her phone from her pocket. My camera being handed off to my sister (who, bless her, had no clue). And Hunter dropping to one knee.

My mind went silent. My body folded. Hands were literally over my face and I was sobbing. Like, ugly crying in the best way. I couldn’t hear anything clearly except my sister crying, my brothers cheering, and my heart pounding. Hunter’s face was tear-streaked. He was speaking from the soul. And I? I couldn’t speak at all. I just gave him my hand, speechless and undone and he said, “I guess that’s a yes.”

A Ring That Says It All, Literally!

After hugs and tears and more tears (so many tears), Hunter pulled me aside and told me something that made me collapse all over again: he’d engraved the ring. On the inside, it reads: Just Say It. From the very beginning, we always felt the love but hesitated to say it. We’d lock eyes on beach drives or during late-night bonfire talks and tease, “just say it” this unspoken, deeply romantic code for I love you. It became our thing. And now it’s on my finger, forever.

Why This Backyard Proposal Was Everything

It wasn’t a mountaintop or a fancy restaurant or a champagne-soaked trip abroad. It was our backyard, was real. Messy. Bittersweet. Timed around a family legacy and rooted in the kind of love that doesn’t need bells and whistles. We were surrounded by generations. Our niece ran through the grass. My dad stood strong in the center of it all. And I’ll never forget the way he hugged me after, holding my face like he already knew this was the last big moment he’d get to see me step into. It wasn’t just a proposal. It was a goodbye and a hello all at once.

Come see more of my surprise proposal below!

Thinking About Planning Your Own St. Augustine Proposal? Let’s Talk!

Brooke Michelle Photo | St. Augustine Engagement Photographer

This experience taught me that sometimes the best proposals aren’t the ones with the most grandeur, they’re the ones with the most heart. Whether you’re planning a secret moment under the mossy trees of St. Augustine or in your own backyard with your people close, my advice is this: make it yours. Let it be real. And if you can, include the ones who made you who you are. I would love to capture it! Head to my contact page so we can chat about the ideas you have! If you want to learn more about me and what I do, click here, can’t wait to hear from you!

 

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