This whole trip started to become reality when my best friend got engaged to her other half, who is from Manchester and then she made me her MOH. Obviously I would never miss her wedding so Corrie and I decided that since he had never been overseas before and I never travel to a country without seeing others, that we were going to turn this into an epic trip. When we started planning, Corrie had one request and that was Ireland. I didn't care where we went but with having family in Ireland, we needed to make that happen and whatever else we did I would be a happy gal. So what's between England and Ireland, SCOTLAND! It only made sense to do all three while we were over there, and so we did.
Before embarking on the trip I reached out to a photographer colleague/friend who I have been following for a long time and who's work I adored, Keith Bridle. I knew he traveled alot but thought "what the heck, worth the try" and wrote him to see if by chance he would be in any of those countries and close by while we were there. Well it turns out, Keith and his other half (Em) were wanting to plan a trip to see her family in Scotland and they wouldn't be too far from us. So, we planned to meet up and for Corrie and I to have couple photos taken together in one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, Glen Etive.
If you have been to Scottish Highlands, you have probably driven through Glencoe (and if you haven't you need too). Glen Etive is about 45 minutes away from Glencoe, down a single car road into the "middle of nowhere". Em has been going to Glen Etive since she was a young girl and has since, introduced Keith and it has become a very special place for both of them. Keith always wanted to photograph people there so when I reached out, all the stars aligned.
We piled into Keith's jeep and hit this tiny little road without a clue as to where we were going but were trusting Keith and Em that it was worth it. The entire drive was full of "omg look" "holy @#$! look at that!" "omggggggggg". Everything along the entire road was picture perfect from the deer to the waterfalls cascading the mountains to the rivers to the natural rock walls to the abandoned shed (in our pictures). Everything was perfect...so perfect that Corrie decided to pop the big question.
Now Corrie didn't have any idea he was going to do this but "brought the ring along for the ride". Did he let Keith know? NOPE! Keith had no idea, Em had no idea and I had absolutely NO idea. Obviously when you get to be our age, people constantly ask "so do you think you will get married" and all those silly questions and of course, I had thought about it and Corrie and I had (drunkingly) talked about it but I never thought this would be the time and place, but I am so glad he did as it couldn't of been more perfect.
At the end of the road we stopped at this body of water with an old home, surrounded by highlands and Keith asked us to climb down on to the rocks... so we did. As we got down there, Corrie and I just looked around taking it all in and looked at each other and just started cuddling for the camera. All of sudden, Corrie says "can we do adventures like this forever?" and I said something romantic like "ya" (clearly no clue what was about to happen) and then boom, he's on the ground and the first words out of my mouth are "@#$! off!" because well, I am romantic. After I said it a few more times, and continually asking if he gave Keith a heads up (because that was a big concern for me apparently haha), the poor guy was still on one knee asking for my answer and with a giant yes and a bunch of tears, I crouched down and embraced him.
I never thought I would be someone who would have their proposal on camera but I am so darn glad we do. This day will forever be remembered through these beautiful photos and we both can't thank Keith and Em enough for introducing us to their special place, exploring with us and documenting this life moment.
All photos taken by Keith Bridle
Ring designed by my good friend Tyson Taylor, Taylors Jewellers
