In my 6 years of being a photographer, and photographing couples in Hawaii for engagement sessions, or Weddings, I've come across many love stories. None, however, can compare to the one I heard recently. This Love story not only enchanted me and warmed my heart, but it is the type of story that you watch in movies or read about in books. It all began back in High School for Rashelle and Donny. Donny's heart was stolen the moment he met Rashelle his Junior Year. But being his young, shy, high school self the most he could hope for was a glance once in a while from her. As insignificant as that may seem, he was content with that extent of interaction then.
After 3 years they ran into each other at CEU in Price, UT. And Donny felt confident enough to say "hello", exchange some small talk and asked for her number. They occasionally talked and Donny would stop by her work with flowers once in a while. He was stuck on her hard and knew she was the "One". But unfortunately Rashelle held back. While he was determined to not give up, time passed, and Rashelle moved. They still kept in touch from time to time. Donny questioned whether it was worth to continue trying to win her heart, so he moved on. Donny began to date others and so did Rashelle. After a couple of years he heard through the grapevine that Rashelle was engaged to her old High School boyfriend.
Donny was heart broken and this time, he let her know. Two years went by again, and he heard that Rashelle had broken off her engagement a few months after he found out, but now Donny was the one getting married. The tables had turned and now Rashelle was heart broken.
Donny got married April of 2002 and Rashelle got married Oct. 2002. Two years later they met up again for lunch. Donny was still taken back by her beauty and thought "she will always be the One that got away." They both knew that they could not see each other again for the sake of being faithful to their marriages.
2014 came around and Donny sent Rashelle a "happy birthday" text. Then a year later on Donny's birthday she texted back to say "Thank you and Happy Birthday." After almost a decade they decided to meet up again, and their chemistry was unquestionable. Donny got divorced and reached out to Rashelle and found out that she too was getting divorced, this was all in 2015. Donny then realized that perhaps their story wasn't quite over, maybe he would get a second chance. Fairy tales can come true... right?
In April of 2016 they went on a trip for a few days together and they immediately clicked, Donny knew he was still in LOVE with Rashelle and that she was the "ONE" after all. On Nov. 26th, 2016 at sunrise Donny proposed to Rashelle and she said "YES." Some LOVE stories take months to come together but this one took 19 years. A slight detour well worth taking.
Wedding is set to take place in July of 2017.
For some tips on arranging your own engagement photos, please check out this blog.
Written by Francys T. (Pacific Dream Photography at the Grand Hyatt Kauai)