“We’d like to invite all of the engaged couples to the dance floor,” the DJ announced at the wedding reception. We cocked our cameras, positioned ourselves on opposite ends of the dance floor, and prepared for dozens of couples to invade it. We waited and looked around, but the flood of couples didn’t come. In fact, just one couple, Karl and Cyndee, made their way to the dance floor. They ignored the admiring onlookers’ eyes, got lost in each other’s arms, and danced. As we snapped the shutter, our heart swelled to three times its normal size and we almost died of pure cuteness.
They left such an impact that night. We didn’t think we’d ever see Cyndee and Karl again, so we were thrilled when they contacted us about shooting their wedding. Sitting across from them in a cozy coffee shop, we watched them cuddle like two giddy teenagers and listened to them finish each other’s sentences as they retold their love story.
Resigned to their separate lives alone, Cyndee and Karl weren’t looking for love, but love found them. A mutual friend introduced them at church, and their relationship started slowly. One date each month at first. Nothing too fast. But, Karl told us, “As the winter turned into spring and the temperature outside started heating up, so did our relationship.” As Cyndee and Karl alternated telling different parts of the story, it was the coincidences, more than anything, that caught our attention. For years, these two have been attending the same charitable events: sitting at tables next door, reading programs with each other’s names printed in it, getting dinner at the same buffets, ordering drinks at the same bars, and socializing with the same people. They must’ve walked past each other a hundred times, he might’ve even held the door open for her as she was walking in one night, but they never met — not once.
As Karl started telling the story of how he proposed, we caught Cyndee squeezing his hand, leaning closer, and flashing him an admiring glance. Karl knows that Cyndee loves dark chocolate. So, one evening, he made a reservation at one of her favorite restaurants and brought a box of See’s for dessert. When dinner ended, Karl handed the box to Cyndee, but she didn’t want it. She said that she was still too full from dinner. Oh great, my plan is ruined… Karl thought to himself, but he insisted that she just try a piece, so Cyndee opened the box. “That piece right there,” Karl pointed, “is the best piece of dark chocolate they make. You should try it.” Cyndee reached over and picked up the chocolate, but, underneath, found another sweet surprise: a sparkling diamond ring. “Will you marry me?” Karl asked.
Cyndee and Karl, thank you so much for reminding us just how fresh and exciting love can be. You inspire us and so many others. You are a perfect reminder that we all just never know when we are going to meet the love of our life. People always say that age is just a number, but you proved it, because 60 never looked so good on anyone. It really is the NEW 40! Here’s a little sneak peek of our time together. We can’t wait for your wedding next month!
To relive the magic of Cyndee and Karl’s chocolate-inrpired proposal, we revisited the spot where Karl’s plotting and planning happened, a place that’ll forever hold a special spot in their hearts: See’s Candies.
We found the exact same piece of dark chocolate that Karl had hidden the engagement ring under the night he proposed.
Jordan wanted to know how he could get arms like Cyndee’s, so he asked her what she did to workout. She laughed and confessed, “I hold my hands up the whole time in church.” Could these two get ANY cuter?
Gear Used for this Shoot
Canon 5D Mark III | Canon 50 1.2 | Canon 70-200 2.8 | Entire Gear List
