This was a process to make sure I could give Amanda the proposal of her dreams. We were planning a vacation to Myrtle Beach, SC all while she had no idea that I was planning on proposing while we were there. After booking our hotel room right on the water, I learned that Auntie Kim(who lives in Myrtle Beach) used to work at the hotel and also used to work there with a now professional photographer, Lacey of "A beautiful mess Pictures". They both did not work there anymore so it could not have worked out any better. Myself and Auntie Kim coordinated a plan to have the photographer call us acting as though she worked for the Hotel chain and was offering a free 8"x10" photo for couples as a gift of appreciation for staying at the resort and to try to promote a new local photographer.
Prior to the photographer calling the both of us, I had spoken with her to coordinate a time and place for the photoshoot to take place, which would be the only day it worked for both of us. So while on the phone with Amanda present, Lacey the photographer asked us which day would work best for us and gave us a choice of two days. One day worked and the other, we were going to be heading to Charleston, so the first was really the only option(on purpose).
After arriving at the hotel, Lacey called us to congratulate us for arriving and to make sure plans were still a go for the "free photo session." This way Amanda would have no suspicion as to why the hotel said nothing to us upon check-in regarding this photoshoot.
The night of the photo session was the second night we were in South Carolina. The great part about pre-scheduling the photo shoot was to allow us to coordinate an outfit for the engagement without her knowing. We got ready and met Lacey at a less populated area along the beach. Amanda had absolutely no clue what was about to happen. And for all of those who know me, I absolutely hate getting dirty with beach sand, but it was worth it! As we were taking pictures, Lacey was instructing us to do certain poses and to take pictures certain ways, nothing out of the ordinary. The next sequence was to have each of us alternate turns picking up seashells. Earlier in the day, Auntie Kim had helped place the engagement ring inside of a conch shell all for this process. She gave the shell to Lacey who placed it at the end of the line of shells we were picking up. Upon arriving at the last shell, I dropped to a knee and angled the ring in Amanda's direction and stumbled through the words asking her to marry me!
It was an amazing feeling as she said yes. I actually don't even remember her saying anything because I was in shock. It was very surreal that it all turned out the way it did and everything worked to plan. After Lacey captured our proposal, Amanda and I turned around the hear clapping on the beach about 200 feet away. It was my Auntie Kim and Uncle Richard. It was an awesome cap to the moment. We finished taking pictures In the set-up arranged for us and then headed back to the condo to clean the damn beach sand off of everything! Lol. It really was one of the best moments of my life to date.
Also a special thanks to my Auntie Kim Brunette. None of this would have been possible without your help. You truly helped make this a once in a lifetime experience! | 
