Brian & Darlene – Sweetwater River Bridge Engagement

To say this was a fun engagement session at the Sweetwater River Bridge would be an understatement! Brian and Darlene were just an absolute joy to spend the late afternoon with. We were laughing and acting like old friends from the very beginning. Darlene and I had been communicating for months about their wedding plans but this was the first time we had met Brian. What a pleasure! Such a gentleman and so madly in love with his fiance! It didn’t take long to find out he was from Texas and longs to go back but all he really cares about at the moment is following this beautiful woman wherever she goes, which seems to possibly be North Carolina in the near future. I think he can still wear a cowboy hat in North Carolina, right? It suits him so well!

As is the fact with most couples these days, Brian and Darlene met through Facebook Dating. Their original intention was not originally to date but to find a close friend and confidant since they were both going through tough times. He was looking for a closer relationship with God and she had the right avenue for that. She needed a friend who was 100% unbiased and she received that in Brian. It didn’t take too long for them to realize that they had each found someone special. With the approval of friends and family, he proposed at their first “date spot,” Fletcher’s Cove. This is a very special spot for them and especially for Brian since this is where he felt he connected to God the most and was a place where they both love to decompress on the weekends. When he proposed, he had made a heart out of rose petals and got down on one knee and asked Darlene to be his wife! Not only only was he asking for her hand in marriage, but he was also promising to love and protect her two children. A job which he seems perfectly cut out to accomplish.

Through the entire engagement session Brian and Darlene were just like a couple of teenagers in love. So wonderful to see! They have both had some pretty significant challenges in their lives but their attitudes and outlook are so impressive! Positive, joyful, hopeful, enouraging. Perfect for each other. When asked what they love most about each other, Brian mentioned her “REAL smile” and Darlene noted that she is so grateful for, “the way he becomes humble. He has a way of making sure my voice is heard and my opinion counts, and he isn’t quick to assume he’s right.” I’d say this marriage is off to a great start!

I think the thing that grabbed my heart about Brian in particular is that he is not only giving his whole heart to Darlene, but he is giving his whole heart of her two children as well. When he talked about the kids, he noted that they were “our” kids and not “her” kids. He even coaches their sports teams, per the kids’ request because they love and respect him so much. He’s not their stepdad, he’s their dad. Heartwarming. Although their wedding plans have had to shift several times, I have no doubt that no matter what wedding they eventually decide to have, large or small, near or far, it will be sentimental, joyful, heartfelt, and a whole lot of fun! I am so honored that they want us to be there on their special day and I hope that it all works out, but no matter what happens, we wish them all the joy and love in the universe!