Jaclyn was unsure if truly nice guys existed; we’re talking about prince charmings and knights in shining armor. Until she met Chris…

They started out as friends, work friends to be exact. Along with their coworkers, Jaclyn and Chris would consistently hang out on the weekends. But one evening, Jaclyn and Chris began a conversation about the Lord of the Rings movies, and Chris began to do some impersonations of the characters. And just like that, he made her laugh, and she couldn’t stop laughing. Jaclyn began to see something in Chris she longed for: a kind and genuine heart. After that evening, they began texting and talking over the phone, until Chris asked Jaclyn out on their first official date to a beautiful restaurant overlooking the water, and they have been in love ever since.

And then one day Chris asked Jaclyn to join him for a long weekend getaway in Newport, Rhode Island, a place that means the world to Jaclyn; a place where she used to live. When they pulled up to the most beautiful hotel in Newport the overlooks the ocean, Jaclyn began to cry. She felt like a princess walking into their room.

As they made their way down to the restaurant for their dinner reservation, Chris was more quiet than usual. Jaclyn thought maybe something was wrong, and offered him Advil, sinus medication, tums. After a quiet dinner, Chris asked Jaclyn to get a photo with him outside. Chris asked the hostess to take their photo, and as she put the phone up to her face, Chris began to tell Jaclyn some very sweet things about her. And I’ll let Jaclyn take it from here:

“All I was thinking was, why is he telling me this now? This poor girl was nice enough to come all the way outside to take our photo and he’s not even looking at the camera. I told him that I feel the same way and to look at the camera. I turned back to the camera, smiled, and posed again. Chris turned me back to face him and said, ‘ I’m trying to tell you something.’ Then I realized what was happening as he started talking again. He got down on one knee, took the ring out of his pocket and proposed. I think I said yes multiple times. I started crying, Chris was crying, and the hostess was crying. That moment was probably one of the happiest, most exciting, and special moments of my life. It was perfect.”

Jaclyn now can’t imagine her life without Chris. “He is incredibly patient and understanding, especially when it comes to certain things such as: my need and passion to visit Homegoods at least once a week, how decorating for every holiday is an event and may take a few days, how I need to consume a cup of Starbucks coffee in the morning in order to function and start the day, and if i’m having a bad day, he understands that watching a couple hours of Fixer Uper always makes me feel better. I can happily say that Chris now knows what the terms shiplap, galvanized, and subway tile means.”

These two love watching movies, trying new restaurants, and taking weekend trips to Lewes, Delaware. We met up in my town of Lewes for their engagement session. I absolutely love this adorable historic seaside town. And I realized that all of Jaclyn and Chris’ big relationship moments happened near the water; their first date, their proposal, and now their engagement session. It doesn’t get more romantic than love by the sea.

Congratulations Jaclyn and Chris!