Thinking they're doing a couple's photo session at Norfolk Botanical Gardens, Aliea was shocked when Jaclyn got down on one knee for a surprise proposal.
How did this overseas love end up in a proposal at the botanical gardens in Norfolk, Virginia? We’re glad you asked!
Aliea and Jaclyn were both stationed in Yokosuka, Japan when their paths so happened to cross. Their connection developed into a relationship where they each realized they were meant to be together forever.
“I knew she was the one when I didn’t feel like I was being judged for how I felt about things,” shares Aliea. Jaclyn added that things felt easy with Aliea. “She’s my bestfriend and continues to show me everyday that this is what a healthy relationship is supposed to be.”
On their four-year anniversary, Jaclyn made plans to propose to Aliea. She knew the one condition Aliea expressed to her was that she wanted an outdoor proposal; making the botanical gardens the perfect backdrop.
Upon arriving at the location, Jaclyn told her love they were taking professional portraits together. Little did Aliea know that Jaclyn actually had a yellow gold pave band with a solo round diamond ready to surprise her.
“As we’re walking up and getting closer to everything, I can see that she’s slowly starting to realize what’s happening but at the same time she’s still not 100 percent sure,” recalls Jaclyn. “We get to the gazebo and I grab the ring out of the bag and get down on one knee. I tell her all of my feelings about her at that moment and remember tearing up while I’m asking her to marry me. I grabbed her hand and slid the ring on and then I stood up to kiss her.”
“My initial thought was that she really wants to be with me for the rest of her life! Like, she’s serious!” expresses Aliea. “And I was screaming at her the whole time she was down on one knee like this is actually happening!!! I can’t believe this is happening!!!” “
“I was down on one knee basically confessing my love to her and she was just screaming at the top of her lungs the whole time not hearing a single word I said,” laughs Jaclyn.
The excitement was all captured, surrounded by nature’s beauty as their love continued to bloom larger than the flowers amongst them.
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