They first met when Mike shared about his teaching experience in one of her classes… but it wasn’t until another six years later that they were set up by two sisters and invited to the same event. As Renee describes it, “our eyes met and the rest is history!”

One thing that’s especially beautiful about Mike and Renee’s love is the way they pursue to have a strong relationship with God together. While still just dating, they decided to attend a marriage conference to find ways to deepen, challenge, and strengthen their relationship even further. Renee’s brother was on the planning committee for the event, so Mike secretly worked tirelessly with him behind the scenes leading up to the conference to pull off the sweet proposal he envisioned for Renee.

At the end of the Friday night session, Renee’s brother went up on stage to draw names for a prize. He coincidentally drew Mike + Renee’s names from the container, but Mike had coincidentally gone to the bathroom when their names were announced over the microphone. Renee sheepishly went up to the front by herself to accept the prize, but when she reached out to take the bag from her brother, he pulled it back and said this gift required Mike to be present…

Right on cue, Mike came out of a side door wearing a suit and tie and holding a beautiful bouquet of red roses. The whole room went wild with excitement and energy as Mike approached Renee with that charming smile she knew all too well spread across his face. He then took her hand, compassionately looked her in the eyes, and got down on one knee, asking Renee to make him the happiest man in the world by marrying him and becoming his wife. The whole room went silent with anticipation… then cheered as Renee joyfully offered a resounding YES!

But what may have been the most emotional and special moment of the evening even yet, was when Renee’s brother sat her and Mike down in front of a projection screen to watch a video. In the video, he said that he knew how important it was for Renee to have her Dad’s blessing for their marriage, and since their Dad was no longer with them, he’d asked other men in her life to give their blessing. And so the video played one uncle after another, her grandfather, pastor, brother-in-law, step father, and finally ending with her brother all giving their blessings for Mike to take Renee as his wife. It was a beautiful way to recognize her father and celebrate a new chapter of their story just beginning!

Mike + Renee, I’m pretty sure I drove all the way home from our time together with a huge smile on my face! Your joy is contagious and I feel so blessed to get to capture this special day in store! In the meantime, I hope you enjoy a few of my favorites from your spring engagement session!

*Special thanks to Kristen of Unfading Beauty for doing Renee’s hair and makeup to perfection! Xo