Photographer Taryn from Taryn Lynn Photography is a true pro when it comes to her snaps, but when you toss in that golden hour light, everything is exponentially more alluring. Eyes twinkle harder, smiles become brighter, creamy colors are brought out, and the couple just shines. Our duo in this e-sesh, Hattie and Michael, were lucky to not only get this fantastic timeframe but also a sunny day; tropical storm Barry had inundated their Arkansas town with rainfall. Thankfully for us, the clouds parted and Taryn worked her magic once more.
How did you meet?
We met in the summer of 2016. I was going into my junior year of high school and he was going into his senior year of high school. Michael was homeschooled but he moved to my school to play basketball, so we met that summer in the gym. We would both always be in there playing basketball and he started talking to me a little bit and then asked me for my number. The rest is history.
What is your proposal story?
April 27th was one of the happiest days of my life. It was a normal day for me. I spent the morning with my best friends and they took me to get my nails done (I didn’t think anything of it). That night, my now-fiancé and I were planning on going to church so I got ready and everything and he had to get me out of my house by 5 so my family could set up the engagement party. We left for church and Michael said that they didn’t have enough food at church tonight so we would have to stop at Sonic (he was stalling). Then his dad called him and made up a fake story about someone needing help getting changed for church because he needed to go meet the videographer to get everything ready. So he dropped me off at his grandparents house where I just sat there by myself waiting, lol.
He came back and said he needed to show me something at his great grandma’s house. The whole day he told me he was at his great grandma’s house fixing the barn so he wanted to show me that. We walked down to the barn and I immediately started crying. There was lights strung across pictures of us everywhere and flowers. I looked at him with the happiest face while I was still bawling my eyes out and he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Still one of the happiest days ever.
Tell us about the ring/band.
My ring was my late mother’s wedding ring. My mom passed away in her sleep in 2013. I’ve had a really hard time with her being gone because she was my best friend and my everything. I loved my mom with all of my heart and I wish she was here to watch me get married. When Michael proposed with my mom’s wedding ring, I lost it; it was such a special moment. And now I wear it with the greatest joy knowing that she is with me every step of the way.
