Nancy + Andy • Surprise Oahu, Hawaii Proposal

Not everyone likes surprises.

Case in point – ME!

In college, a close friend planned a very elaborate jazz-themed birthday party for me. She rented out a hip bookstore, invited the best people, organized themed party food, planned costumes and crafts – it was seriously one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me!! But it was emotionally super EXHAUSTING. When someone takes control away from me, I don’t do well with situations hahaha….

But the exception for my fear of surprises – surprise proposals!

Give me all the surprise getting-down-on-one-knee, hidden ring in pocket, priceless looks, and tears of joy!! I want to photograph them ALL. The exuberance, the literal “OMG” moment when one person decides to plan a way to catch their partner off guard.

All of the above are such an amazing experiences for me to capture.

So when Andy reached out to me on Instagram to plan his surprise proposal to his long-time girlfriend of nearly 7 years, Nancy, I was immediately on board.

They + their families were planning to vacation in Kapolei, on the west side of Oahu, at the Ko‘olina Resort and Andy wanted to plan an evening with Nancy alone. So we figured out a secluded area just outside of the resort and coordinated a way for me to be there just in time for them to arrive.

I tried to act all ninja, but Nancy later told me she immediately noticed me but tried to brush it off! She actually had a hunch that Andy would be proposing that evening!!! She was able to pick up on some odd changes in behavior that Andy and her family were exhibiting that day, since everyone else was in on the plan!!

Well, Andy did a great job through and through. He admitted to being SUPER nervous, but he tried his best to keep his cool as he led Nancy down to the cliffs where they could watch the sunset before popping the question. I think he even cut his knee on the sharp rocks in the process, but hey!! Who cares when they’re about to propose to the freakin LOVE of their LIFE!

I won’t go into a TON of detail because I want you to watch Nancy’s video on their proposal story, embedded below. Nancy is a beautiful lifestyle blogger with such a heart a gold. When I revealed myself as their secret photographer, she gave me the most radiant smile and thanked me for being there to capture their memories!

I think if it were me, I’d be so emotionally wired, I’d probably ignore everyone else around me…..The introverted struggle is REAL guys.

I’ll never forget the thrill + relief of the entire evening. Being a part of Nancy + Andy’s proposal reminded me so deeply of why I love to do this.