I got engaged to Rachel Viau, soon to be McKee on 03.27.2010, and this is how it happened.  We started the day at 8am when we kayaked out from Avila Beach. I told Rachel the night before that I was taking landscape photographs for a client and asked her if she wanted to come along. What a great cover story, I was able to get her out to a beautiful and remote location and she had no idea what I had up my sleeve. This was taken when we landed on the point out by the Lighthouse.

We took a short hike up to the location I had set. You can only get out to this area if you kayak out to the point.

Rachel couldn’t have been more surprised, she had no idea this was coming. I had her thinking in work mode when I dropped down on my knee and asked the question. The reality of what just happened came in a few different waves. She thought it was a joke at first. When she saw the ring come out of the sleeve of my wetsuit she realized it was real. Later she put it together that everything about the day was setup for her. It was so fun to watch her face during that process. Don’t worry, I didn’t have the camera in my hand when I asked her, this was taken well after the question.

I love how much I laugh with her

My friend William West came out and shot video of the proposal and most of the stills with the two of us.  He is such a great friend and helped me out so much with everything that led up to this day.

I made some shirts for us

Claim your Inheritance

This was the end of own visit out to the point, after this we headed back to the Avila and had a welcome party and snacks. Later that night we went out to Buena Tavola for an amazing dinner.