Morgan and Carson’s Engagements – San Angelo, TX

Posted on June 28, 2011

I love this couple, and I love this session! I always encourage my clients to think of unique locations for their portraits, and in this case Morgan and Carson brought me out to Carson’s family ranch in San Angelo, TX. Enjoy some of my favorites from the day, and be sure to check out their love story below! It’s a good one!

Where did you meet?

We met in 2006 while at Texas A&M through a mutual friend, Morgan’s roommate. We didn’t spend much time together the day we met. After meeting a second time, while camping with friends, is when we had great conversation and got to know one another better.

What was your first impression of him?

My first impression of Carson was probably different than most first impressions. He was getting ready for a Fish Camp (one of those Aggie organizations that’s focused around crazy traditions) counselor revelation, and he was dressed up in complete goth attire from head to toe. So as you can probably imagine, I was thinking, “Okay, this guy is amazingly handsome; however, I can’t read this guy with all this goth stuff everywhere…” Needless to say, after that initial impression, we got to know one another well, sans gothic persona, and I was completely blown away.

What was your first impression of her?

Morgan and I were friends for a long time before we started dating. She is a beautiful girl and I was always interested in her, but I never thought that I actually had a shot at dating her. One of the first times we hung out with one another, we met a group of friends camping out. Morgan and I talked a lot that night and I was definitely interested but the timing was just not right. The strange thing is that two years later, while camping at that same park, Morgan and I told one another how we felt about each other.

What did you do for your first date?

We didn’t really have a “first date” per se. We were really good friends for about a year before we started dating, so it just kind of happened.

When did you know he was the one?

Early on in our relationship, I just had that gut feeling. I remember (I literally remember where I was, what I was doing when this happened) talking with my best friend after a few months Carson and I started dating, and told her verbatim, “He is the guy I am going to marry.”

When did you know she was the one?

I spent a month in Mississippi at the beginning of 2010. Of course I missed her the whole time I was gone but I did not know how much till I got back to Houston and saw her again for the first time. I instantly knew that she was the girl for me and that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.

How did he pop the question?

Our families will appreciate this story. I think they acquired a lot of patience through this experience, as did we. We knew we were going to get married as of April of 2010. So, naturally, we went ring shopping, had the pre-engagement discussions, etc. I suspected he had the ring sometime around the end of May, so at that point he had my full-blown attention. We went on several spectacular trips (opportune times, obviously) where I just knew he would ask me. Still, no ring.

I work for my parents, so I see my dad everyday, and if I had a nickel for every time each day he asked me if Carson had proposed, I would have a bank. I think the same rang true for his side of the family. Everyone was anxiously, impatiently waiting for Carson to pop the question. However, God has such a sweet sense of humor and sense of timing, Carson’s proposal couldn’t have been more perfect, or more akin to who we are.

One Saturday night, October 16th to be exact, after a long day of hitting the gym (yep, it was a ‘no makeup, hair up, look like you rolled out of bed’ kind-of-day), farmer’s market shopping, and cooking a top-notch dinner, Carson told me he had bought me a present. Thinking to myself, okay that’s random, because it’s not my birthday or anything special like that; I still didn’t think much of it. He brings out a gift-wrapped rectangular-shaped present (instantly I thought, “Picture frame! How awesome of him to make a collage of our pictures!” Ha. Close, but not quite), which I tear into immediately. After ripping the top half of the wrapping off, I see in the picture frame the first two of the three picture slots with green-colored paper and silver lettering, “WILL YOU MARRY…” I think I blacked out after that. The next thing I remember is seeing Carson down on one knee with the most beautiful ring, asking me to marry him. From there, it was a lot of tears and phone calls to family and friends.

I will remember that night in detail for the rest of my life. I couldn’t have pictured the proposal to be so perfect: relaxed and comfortable at home with just the two of us. So special.

What do you love the most about him?

Above being one of the most motivating, loving people I have ever met, who challenges me to be better every day, Carson is the most loyal, incredible friend I have every had or seen. This is one of the things I first realized about him. Carson is one of those people that would go to the moon and back for his friends. You can see how much he dearly loves the people close to him, and he does anything he can to ensure they know that. Even in college, his close friends were his family, and that is still true today.

Not only is he an incredible friend to his family and close friends, he has been an amazing friend to me. I don’t think “blessing” would quite do it justice. He sees me on good days and bad, and sees me through them. He holds me accountable in my walk with Christ, and challenges me to want to be better because of that. He calls me out when needed and shows me how much I’m loved daily. I don’t think I have ever felt so lucky or blessed in my life.

What do you love most about her?

Morgan cares passionately for her family and friends and she lets them know how much she cares with her words and actions. She is always willing to go the extra mile for them and makes sure that she does the little things to make these relationships special. I have never met anyone else with this sort of passion for those people that are close to her and I continue to be in awe.

Does he have any funny quirks?

He loses a close, personal item, i.e., phone (once found in the freezer), wallet, keys, shoes, Aggie Ring (yet to be found), at least once a week.

Does she have any funny quirks?

I can’t help but laugh every time Morgan sneezes. She is always so well-put together that this split second of chaos is always the cutest second of my day.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced together?

Knowing when it was right to move into this phase of our life together.

What’s the secret to your happy relationship?

The only way our relationship will continue to be successful is through trust, healthy communication, and a great respect for one another. There’s no real “secret”, per se; however, these three things on top of the love we have for one another is profound for us, and has helped us to be in the great place we’re in now.

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