Sean & I go way back to the beginning of our time in undergrad at the University of Georgia. We eventually lost touch as time progressed and we finished our degrees and he moved to Atlanta. But social media is a strange thing, because even though we stopped communicating regularly, I watched his relationship with Ruskee grow through Instagram posts and Facebook pictures over the years. I adored what I saw of their relationship, and I felt like I knew Ruskee even though I had never even met her in person! Needless to say, when Sean reached out to me about popping the big question, I was ALL ABOUT IT. :)
I’ve always known Sean to be an extremely thoughtful person, so I wasn’t surprised at all when he told me his plan for proposing. He secretly asked Ruskee’s sister to plan a day for the two of them to catch up. They went shopping, got their nails done, and had lunch — all very normal things for them, but this ensured that Ruskee would be looking cute and picture-ready ;). However, their normal afternoon changed when Ruskee’s sister handed her a wax-sealed envelope from Sean.
The letter embarked Ruskee on a scavenger hunt around Athens where she continued to find sweet notes and riddles that recapped the history of their relationship. The letters took her to where they first met, where they shared their first kiss, Ruskee’s old workplace (Chick-fil-A, where she got to see several of her friends!), and where Sean first realized that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. Ultimately, the last letter led to the State Botanical Gardens, where they frequently spent time together.
My job was to capture that moment as Ruskee arrived to the Botanical Gardens and saw Sean waiting, ring in hand. Y’all, IT WAS SUCH A CUTE MOMENT. Family members were there to congratulate them, and we were blessed with an EMPTY garden to take adorable photos in.
I am so excited for this sweet, God-fearing couple! They are going to change the world. I asked Sean about how he chose Ruskee’s gorgeous engagement ring, and this is what he said:
I purchased the ring from Brilliant Earth. Ruskee and I believe in the power of the consumer – that we have a chance to improve the world by supporting companies with similar values. Brilliant Earth sources all of their diamonds from conflict free areas, uses recycled white gold, and donates 5% of their profits to help communities who have suffered from unethical practices in the jewelry industry.
How great is that?!
Congratulations Sean & Ruskee!!
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