What is the Best Way to Start Forever? Built on a Firm Foundation
Our plan – the big secret – all started with a telephone call. The phone rang, and the sweet voice on the other end was my former client, Allison. Knowing that I split my time between Myrtle Beach and Virginia, she asked, “Mrs. Lisa, where are you?” When I told her that I was in Virginia, she went on to tell me about the secret…and that the reason for her call was that the secret was big enough to need a photographer to capture it. I was so humbled that Allison said I was the first person that she thought of. Once I heard the details, I knew I wanted to be a part of this secret, and I assured them that I would be back in South Carolina – that weekend – to capture the events that would unfold.
A normal, fall, family reunion for Angie’s family…or not…that was the plan. Little did Kaisley know, this “family reunion” at the Aynor Town Park was a complete hoax – meant to cover up Wyle’s desire to surprise his intended future wife. Kaisley’s cousin and a friend introduced her to Wyle at the Aynor Harvest Hoe Down, which was held at the Aynor Town Park. It held a very special significance to them, and on bended knee, Wyle wanted to ask her to be his wife at a time when Kaisley was least expecting it. We were all willing accomplices! Angie, Wyle’s Mom, orchestrated the event – helping to coordinate where everyone would be and planning the details – down to the cake she baked the night before – for the “reunion”. His Dad helped by moving people around, discretely. Kaisley’s family bought flowers for the park stage and even planned for chicken to be a part of the “reunion” festivities. I played the part of “Cousin Lisa” from Virginia – that Angie had not seen since her children had been little. Angie even had Kaisley helping everyone else prepare the tables for the “reunion” that would not be. I have to say – we were all pretty good deceivers, and the stage was set – literally – for the surprise proposal.
How did Wyle’s plan for “Forever and Ever, Amen” start? Kaisely and Wyle, became seriously committed on April Fool’s Day in 2018, although they had originally dated a bit prior to that time. The day of the proposal, however, was no April Fool’s Day. After church, they all headed to Aynor Town Park. Kaisley’s Dad and Stepmom, Trina, had graciously gotten there early to help me by standing in the place on the stage that Wyle was supposed to drop to his knee. When Kaisley and Wyle arrived, we started setting up for the “reunion”, and Angie asked if “Cousin Lisa” would start taking some family pictures “knowing how much I loved to take pictures”. Suddenly (Wyle did it so fast it even shocked me, y’all), he dropped to one knee, and Kaisely saw him when she turned around. Happily ever after began…with a lot of joyful tears…
This relationship has firm foundational elements. First, Kaisley and Wyle are Christians. Angie shared that they prayed for God to prepare the perfect mate to complement the other, as Angie prayed for Him to prepare the hearts of both Wyle and his future wife – throughout his life, starting from childhood – long before he knew her. Matthew 7:25 tells us “And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock”. Secondly, Kaisley and Wyle have the love and support of family. In addition to parents who would all, clearly, do anything for them, Kaisley’s Grandmother is an important part of their foundation. Her treasured diamond ring, a symbol of generational legacy and love, was given to Kaisely by her Grandmother so that she could have it at the time of her engagement, one day. Knowing this, Wyle asked Kaisley’s Dad for permission to propose, and he was given the ring to re-design, with her Grandmother’s blessing. It was precious to see Kaisley’s Mom looking at that ring on her finger as she hugged her. Finally, their relationship is built on love. In the quiet moments at the end of the engagement session, we were capturing meaningful details, which included the couple’s hands on Wyle’s Bible, given to him by his mother, Angie. We also opened the Bible to 1 Corinthians 13 – the love chapter…what a foundation for the beginning of their journey.
I am so thankful to have been a part of this special day, and I want to leave them with my prayer for them as they plan to start their lives together. It is taken from the song, The Blessing, written by Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe, and Steven Furtick.
“The Lord bless you and keep you
Make His face shine upon you
And be gracious to you
The Lord turn His face toward you
And give you peace
May His favor be upon you
And a thousand generations
Your family and your children
And their children, and their children
May His presence go before you
And behind you, and beside you
All around you, and within you
He is with you, He is with you
In the morning, in the evening
In your coming, and your going
In your weeping, and rejoicing
He is for you, He is for you
Amen…”
Blessings ~
Lisa