Hailey + Cannon are engaged!

The Story

Oh, happy day! 



Exactly a week ago, two of my most cherished friends got engaged, and I am so thrilled I was able to witness the act while hiding in sage brush. (More on that later!) 

When Cannon contacted me exactly two weeks before with this master "plan", my spontaneous self agreed to drive the 17 hour trek down to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. As well as other limiting factors, this meant canceling my road trip down the sunny coast of Cali, which I had planned months in advance. 

Some said I was crazy, most urged me to go and help surprise my best friend for the past 4 years. Although everyone had their reasons for me to start the (almost) solo trip, I had my own, which were all based off the past few years, which went something like this...

I met Hailey when I stepped into our church youth group alone when I was a timid freshmen in High School. Her and a few ladies invited me to their small group bible study which met weekly. Even though I believed Hailey just pitied my lonely self, we became fast friends, creating silly memories and sharing life together.  Something I noticed about Hails is that she loved Jesus, she adored this scrawny football player who took the name of Cannon, and she had an infatuation with Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where her aunt and cousins live. She would brag it was the most beautiful place on earth. I never knew Cannon well but I would witness them holding hands amongst the other students in the hallways. The winter of my sophomore year and Hailey's senior year, they broke up in attempt to become closer to God, and separate before Cannon took off to some place called "Jackson Hole Bible College".   

When she told me they broke up, I was initially shocked, yet complelty taken back by their reasoning. If anyone has been through a breakup or loss of a friendship, it REALLY blows. Like, super.

The following weeks turned into months, and months morphed into a year. The time that followed included Hailey & Cannons graduation and my advancement to junior year. Cannon left to Wyoming, and girls nights increased on a weekly basis. Both single, pursuing Christ, and eating tons of sugar, Hailey and I made a load of fantastic memories.

See, I always had the assumption in the back of my mind that Hailey would "get over" Cannon. After spending tons of time with her, I quickly threw that assumption to the curb. I witnessed her love for him grow stronger, and her devotion to him and God deepen. Cannon returned May 2011, and told Hails he wanted to continue to pursue her and marry her. Still young & in love, marriage was far off in the distance.

Fast forward 2 years and the pursuit has not stopped. 

So- Cannon convinced me to come to Jackson Hole and take pictures of the big proposal. Hailey has been joking with me for the past few months how she wanted to fly me out to take their engagement photos in Jackson.... And after witnessing the past 5 ish , crazy love filled years, how could I possibly say no? I have never lied to anyone in my whole life, as much as I had lied to Hailey in the 2 weeks following up to the big trip... A tough time for Hails, for she had to move into a new house, finish loads of homework, and start school the week after she would go to Jackson. When all of our friends were convincing her to go, she knew something was up. She said "i'm so stressed! i don't want to go to Jackson right now, why isnt anyone on my side?!!" Oh Hails, if you only knew what was in store!

Cannon and I glanced at rings, Taylor and I snuck into her room and picked out matching outfits, Cannon sealed the deal with a LOVELY custom ring, and it was time to leave for a momentous trip. 

   I packed my bags, asked our friend Taylor to come along  two days before we left, (talk about spontaneity!!!) and we were on the road. The 17 hours on the curvy path consisted of giggles from Taylor and I, as well as periodically yelping "our best friend is getting engaged tomorrow!!!!". We rolled into Wyoming at 10:30 pm and met up with Cannon and his friend Todd, who housed us for our first night there. We talked about the game plan, where it would take place, and strategized until midnight. Bright and early at 6:30, covered in camo print and bearing sleepy eyes, we drove into the Wyoming sunrise to scout out the perfect place for Cannon to ask her hand in marriage. We found the ideal location- overlooking the jagged Tetons. We waited patiently and explored the trails while they arrived hours later.. Cannon signaled, and I took my place in the scratchy sage brush. In a uncomfortable squatting position, I was shaking out of pure joy and excitement. Possibly a bit of nervousness too, since Hails has a tendency to always find out every aspect of a surprise before it occurs.. haha! I heard their voices ascending up the trail and all of a sudden Hailey says "Cannon, i'm in a sweater and jeans. I do NOT want to be hiking right now.." He replied with kind and convincing words, and I was tempted to pop my head out and yell "Yes yes, you DO want to be hiking!" But I remained still. Sweet sentences were exchanged and Cannon dropped to one knee. I popped my camera above the sage brush and started snapping away. I expected yelling, crying, and squeeling. But nothing left her mouth. I have never seen her so speechless- that is when I knew how sweet this moment truly was. She noticed my dark black lens and assumed I was Cannons friend... Much to her surprise, I removed my hood and camera, and she was completely taken back. 

TOTALLY WORTH IT.  Worth her years of waiting, worth my hurting legs and bugs biting me, worth her stress of going on a vacay before school started, worth every ounce of planning and every lie exchanged.

My bestie is officially off the market for good, and is taken by the coolest dude. 

Over the past 4 years, I have witnessed highs and lows, doubt and adoration- and I can not wait to see how the next 40 years evolve. Cannon and Hailey's relationship is one that I will constantly look up to in numerous ways. Filled with grace and forgiveness, and a solid love for Christ, it's almost as if they are unstoppable. My words simply do not do their love justice.  I love these two, adore these two, respect these two, and I can not wait to see what the future holds for these two. 

Extremely happy I was able to share a bit of this special moment with them, and be able to have gone on this great adventure with two awesome,  forever friends. 

Blessings to you!

The Planning

Sunrise

The Proposal 

The Engagement Photos