Randy’s sister invited Stephanie to dinner, and there he was, the man she would fall in love with. For Stephanie, it was an instant attraction. She made jokes and flirted, but Randy was in another headspace. His father’s recent death had left him feeling lost, confused, and emotionally unmoored. He wasn’t looking for love. He didn’t even know he needed it. “But then came Stephanie. From the beginning, there was something grounding about her presence. She brought a calm into my chaos, a lightness into my heaviness. She became the steady I didn’t know I was searching for.”
Stephanie made every excuse to stay in touch with Randy. She saw that he was smart, loving, kindhearted, and noble. They were now friends, and she was in love. “I fell in love. He treats me with respect and makes me feel like his queen. The way he looks at me with such pureness, no evil, no bad intentions…”
Randy accepted in his heart that Stephanie was not only meant to be his best friend, but his girlfriend. On the Long Beach Pier, with a beautiful full moon reflecting down on the water, it was made official. They were not just best friends, but a couple. Randy felt whole again. Stephanie was by his side, supporting him, and he was there for her. “Every time I was down, she lifted me. And when life hit her hard, I did the same. That became our rhythm: always there for each other, no matter what.”
Stephanie had not just hoped or wished for Randy… she had prayed for him. This would always amaze him. “She prayed for it. For us. For our future. Our love story isn’t flashy or fairytale-perfect. It’s better. It’s real, rooted in prayer, partnership, and a love that keeps choosing each other—over and over again.”
Of course, in these beautiful love stories, there is always a lie. It is meant to distract from what is about to happen. Randy told Stephanie that he had reservations at a rooftop restaurant in Harbor Island at sunset. As they walked alongside yachts, they came across a path with rose petals, and a heart of roses with the wordrs, “Will you Marry me?, and a photographer waiting. Randy pointed it out and said, “Look babe someone’s proposing.” Stephanie felt excitement, but for someone else. She responded with a happy, “Awhhh! Let’s go watch!” As they got closer, Randy said, “That’s for you!” Stephanie wasn’t sure she had heard right. Randy repeated, “Babe I need you to get ready because all this is for you.”
Yes, the proposal was for Stephanie. The love she had prayed for was hers. The man she loved got on one knee and asked her to be his companion forever. Stepanie, of course, said, “Yes!”
This Story was captured by A Story in Time Photography – Jessie Cadenas with the assistance of Melissa Quezada. We are Los Angeles, Orange County Wedding Photographers located in the Inland Empire. Our style is Classic, Romantic, and Fun. If you are interested in your Family, Graduation, Quinceañera, Engagement, or Wedding Story being captured, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us using the contact button at the top of this post or HERE.
See and get to know Jessie, the photographer on her personal FACEBOOK PAGE (yeah it’s open. You can stalk, but we can always be friends), but if that’s too weird this is the Business Page! Follow us on Instagram!
