New Smyrna Beach has a special place in their hearts. It dates back to last year, when they spent a day at the beach together — Callie sitting, Phil pacing the sand, back and forth, back and forth, between Callie and the water. She finally asked him if he was bored and suggested they go home. He wasn’t bored, he assured her, and he definitely didn’t want to go home. But he kept pacing.

What she didn’t know was that all that pacing was Phil’s way of working up the nerve to take the ring out of his pocket, get on one knee, and ask Callie to marry him. At last, he asked. She said yes. Which must have been such a relief to Phil: He told Callie he had already booked her church for the ceremony, and that he hoped June 1st worked for her!

Last week, they headed back to New Smyrna for their engagement session, their first trip back since they day they went from boyfriend and girlfriend to fiance and fiancee. When they come back again, they’ll be husband and wife. And if the way they interacted that afternoon is any indication, I think they’re headed for a very happy marriage.See what I mean about very happy?!

Something else that made me very happy: Callie’s showstopping ring. When we met them last November at the Dubsdread tasting, I immediately noticed her ring, sparkling away. Great job, Phil!Oh, here’s another gorgeous view of the ring, because I just can’t resist! Favorite.
As we headed down to the shore, the sun started ducking in and out from the clouds overhead, and I knew we were in for a treat. Beautiful light makes my day. So do couples who are so effortlessly cute together.Oh, you two! This just makes my heart sing.After a quick outfit change — into the very dress Callie wore to celebrate the night they were engaged — it was back to the beach to enjoy the twilight. And did we ever enjoy it!The sky changed colors every few moments. It couldn’t seen to make up its mind whether it wanted to be peach or green or gray or gold or lavender. So it was a little bit of all of them.Such a little smile can say so much. It says, “I love you.” It also says, “I’ll never stop.”Remember what I said earlier about my heart singing? I don’t think it actually stopped all evening. Callie, can I just take a moment to say that you are beautiful and I can’t wait to see the light dancing in your eyes on the day you become Phil’s wife?! As a bride-to-be, you look fabulous. As a bride? You’re going to look as happy as you’ll feel!See even more in Callie and Phil’s slideshow, and be sure to check out their PASS gallery!

Callie and Phil — we are so excited for you two. We are so excited, because we remember the excitement ourselves so well, and because we know getting married is only the beginning. Life gets better and better. We can’t wait to be there for your beautiful beginning in just a few weeks!

~ Laura + Danny