“As we walk onto the beach, Tyler said, “So, we aren’t going to dinner tonight…” And at that point I knew something great was about to happen. I looked up at the beach horizon to find all of our kids standing in a line holding backwards signs along with Val and his wife Idline, and Fredo, our Haitian partners. Tyler pulled out a piece of paper and began to talk to me…I was listening but couldn’t remember a word he said in that moment. As he got down on one knee, all of our kids flipped over signs that said, “Will you marry me?”

Needless to say, I was a mess. Tears of joy just kept coming and coming. And to have our kids and Haitian friends be a part of it meant so much to me…and to him. It was a night that I will never forget. I have been so blessed to not only get to know our Haitian friends and kids, but also to meet the man that I get to spend the rest of my life with. A man who loves the Lord with all of his heart first and foremost. A man who challenges me to better myself in my walk with Christ. A man who loves and serves me well.”

Ahh!! Don’t you just LOVE engagement stories?!

Rachel and Tyler met about 5 years ago at Grace College! It all started out as an innocent crush that turned into so much more! After graduation Tyler asked Rachel to join him to serve at a boarding school in Haiti and for the past year they each have been growing a love for country, for the people and for each other. Their friendship and joy they share with one another is so evident within the first 5 minutes you spend with them or the first couple pictures your eyes fall upon!

I am INCREDIBLY blessed to be able to capture their big day in Colorado in September where they will make the ultimate commitment and promise each other forever! You know there will be plenty of documentation of that fun adventure so make sure to keep an eye out! Can’t wait to celebrate these two in just 4 short months!

Congrats Tyler + Rachel!

p.s. Want to hear the whole engagement story straight from Rachel? Check out her blog post here!