Tanner and Laura Beth are two people dear to my heart. I've known Tanner for years--my husband coaches for Tanner's father at Norcross High School, so I've known Tanner since I started dating my husband in 2004. It seems like just yesterday that Tanner was in middle school, and running the ball out to the referees at the Norcross High games. A few years passed, and Tanner was a junior sitting in my British Literature class. He was always fun-loving, full of smiles, and polite. He was as a teenager, and still is, the epitome of a gentleman. He played football for Norcross in high school, and I went from watching him run the ball out as a child to playing on the team. Now, he coaches at Norcross with his dad, brother and my husband.
I first met Laura Beth at a Christmas party when she was helping with the children. Her mother was my daughter's pre-school teacher. Natalie, my daughter, would tell me when Miss Laura Beth would visit her class, and she was excited when she got to play with Laura Beth at the party. Laura Beth is the epitome of a southern lady--just like her mother. She is always extremely sweet and polite, and has a smile that will light up a room.
Tanner and Laura Beth's story began when they were only children. They are only a few weeks apart in age, and were raised in the same church. They grew up together, went to school together, and have known one another essentially their entire lives. When Tanner called me to ask if I would take pictures of their proposal, I was thrilled. He arranged everything, and I met his friend (and another former student) Hamp, at Chateau Elan while Tanner and Laura Beth were eating lunch. We went to Tanner's truck, found the box of rose petals, and arranged them in a row of the vineyards. Hamp went to go meet them inside while I hung out and waited. A few minutes later, I got the heads up text from Hamp, and pretty soon they were rounding the corner of the vineyard. It took Laura Beth a minute to realize what was happening, and then she was in disbelief as Tanner got down on one knee to propose. After the initial shock, the first thing she said (I told you she was a perfect southern lady!) was "Did you ask my parents?" In a world where tradition seems to have gone by the wayside, it was refreshing to hear her say that. Of course, Tanner did--(these two were raised right ya'll!) and there were lots of hugs and tears that followed.
I have been blessed to be a part of quite a few special memories as I've gravitated toward being a full-time wedding photographer, but I have to say this particular memory I was able to capture will always be one of my all-time favorites. These two sweet, southern souls have come full circle from childhood friends to soon-to-be husband and wife, and I couldn't be more excited for them! Congratulations Tanner and Laura Beth! May God bless your engagement, marriage, and lives together--thank you for allowing me the privilege of capturing this special moment for you!
