As you know, I'm a sucker for a sweet love story... and when it comes along with stunning photography and a gorgeous couple that's so obviously in love, then I'm completely smitten. That's what we have for you today, all wrapped up in an engagement session courtesy of the talented Michelle Kristine Photography.
From Michelle: Megan and Steyn were engaged in January, and Megan being a good friend of mine, I was so insanely excited for them. I've watched their beautiful relationship unfold for the past several months, and I can't help but be so incredibly supportive of their decision to get married.
We met up out west of Jupiter Farms one afternoon to try and capture their love for each other in a very natural setting. Megan has the most beautiful complexion along with some amazing green eyes. It was seriously the best time I could ask for. I was doing crazy fist pumps behind the lens as I was shooting because they looked so rock-star! When we were finished, I was just so sad that it had to come to an end! We were all three kind of sad that the sun was going down, we could have kept shooting for hours.
Steyn is a talented chef from South Africa, and Megan works as an oncology nurse at Good Samaritan. The couple enjoys anything outside, and spends time off from work playing tennis, golf, snorkeling and swimming. They also love to travel and, of course, to cook together. Steyn's daughter, Jessica, is eleven and lives in Romania; she visits in the summer months and on holidays. Says Megan, "She is the joy of his heart and we look forward to the opportunity to continue to love on her."
I love the adorably romantic story of how Steyn courted Megan: Steyn and I met about this time a year ago. I think it is safe to say that meeting Steyn was through the crafty work of one of our dear friends. The both of us now laugh looking back on the "getting to know each other phase." And I do have to admit that if it were not for Steyn's persistence, who knows if I would not be writing this email. We initially met helping out with cooking functions through our church. It never hit me that when I would be asked to help serve at functions why Steyn would be there cooking for them. There were several occasions that he would try to make conversation with me, and I in ignorance would blow him off. The first dinner we did together that we both sparked an interest with each other was the night we cooked Indian food. I was so nervous to be there and very intimidated by him. He was always so sincere and natural around me that I never thought that he would be interested in me. Then after that dinner amazingly there were serval more functions that I would serve at, and funny enough Steyn would always be there. After that Steyn and I would always end up at our dear friends home. Steyn was best friends with the husband and I was with the wife, and so the four of us would surprisingly spend Sunday afternoons or evenings sharing a meal. He asked me officially out on a date after we had snorkeled together. We went to dinner and after that he asked for a second date!
Megan shared their engagement story (and a fun photo opp with Michelle!) with us: After church one Sunday afternoon Steyn asked if I would like to go to a park. I never thought anything was up! We talked months prior about where we saw our relationship heading but not a word was mentioned after that. We left church and got lunch. When I asked him which park we were going to he had an answer right away... "Riverbend" The thought crossed my mind that his response was rather quick but I brushed it aside. When we pulled into the park he was set on finding this old chimney. The park is rather large, and yet he wanted to find an old chimney... but once again I brushed it off. We got out and had lunch on a blanket. As soon as he was done he stood up and said come on. I got up and in my mind I was thinking, "I don't want to go yet we just got here." We walked through weeds to this chimney. As we walked over he had one hand in his pocket and once again I found it weird he was be walking like that... but once again I brushed it off.
When we got to the chimney we stood looking at it. Let me tell you, a pile of bricks can only get so interesting over a short amount of time. Conversation stopped and he kind of got quiet and awkward. Then we started telling me how much he had grown to love me and wanted to spend the rest of his like with me and got down on his knee and asked me. I was beyond shocked!! I just stood there and was shaking and he had to ask a second time. Of course... I said YES! He had to remind me that it was not a dream. Then as we walked back to the car Michelle pops out of the trees and says "Got it!"
We also asked Megan how the wedding planning was coming along: The wedding is August 11th. We both could not wish more for that day to be here!! We are thankful for the blessing of each other and are exited to start a life together! The planning has been fun and a fun way to get to know each other and talk things out. We are most excited for a honeymoon to Italy for 2 weeks.
Congrats you two, and thank you so much for sharing your sweet story with us!
LOCATION/VENDOR INFORMATION:
Location: Jupiter Farms | Photography: Michelle Kristine Photography
check out Steyn and Megan this morning featured on @floridianwed blog!!
http://t.co/qQXwookO