Marriage Proposal at the DIA

Like most of us, I found myself grabbing and checking my phone despite having done so just minutes earlier. As I made my usual, mindless rounds on various apps, I saw a new message pop up on Instagram. The message explained that he was looking to have a marriage proposal at the DIA. Within minutes, Jon and I were on the phone, planning when we could meet on site to walk through his proposal. Before I hung up, I asked him, “Hey, real quick…how do you know David? We are mutual friends on Instagram” Jon explained that they were friends in high school. “Ah, gotcha. I thought maybe he referred me; I recently photographed his proposal as well!”

As few days later, I found myself standing outside on a blistering, windy day. Jon, bundled up, his head buried in his shoulders and a hat pulled low, trying to beat the cold, walked towards me. Despite the cold, he smiled the biggest smile I have ever seen on a stranger. “You must be Jon!” I said. After walking through the logistics, I couldn’t take the wind any longer. “Want to head inside and warm up?” I suggested. Jon agreed.

We sat down in the cafe. Sheltered from the cold, our conversation turned from covering the bare essentials to learning a bit about each other. Jon radiated positivity and enthusiasm. When I asked him about his girlfriend, Jon slowed down and leaned back in his chair, as if I was in for a treat. And I was. Jon spoke so highly and complimentary of Taylor, it went beyond loving her. He revered her. It was beautiful.

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A few weeks later, the day finally arrived for Jon’s marriage proposal at the DIA. Jon and Taylor plan monthly “date days” where one of them gets to plan the whole day as a surprise. This month, it was Jon’s turn. The DIA wasn’t out of the norm for the two of them. As the time approached, Jon’s stomach “started to hurt.” When we entered into the restroom, he found me there, waiting to mic him up. Jon was so excited, I thought he was going to shuffle like Mohammad Ali and start playfully punching me. He couldn’t wait to ask Taylor for her hand in marriage.

Once he was all mic’ed up, I told him to give me a 10 second head start. As I ducked outside the door, I saw Becky, in position, waiting with my camera. As they say, the rest of was history…

Did I mention how excited Jon was throughout this process? I love the joy he was feeling here.

Naturally, as Detroiters saw what was going on, they started honking and yelling “congratulations” as they drove by.

After giving Jon and Taylor a few minutes to celebrated, we decided to take a few photos at the DIA before finding some shelter from the rain.

I am guessing, if there is one image that represents Jon and Taylor from the day, it might be this one. All love, all fun, all laughs.