Do you ever get the feeling that things happen for a reason?  That things just happened to work out.  That’s pretty much how I felt about Kash’s marriage proposal to Tuisha and their engagement shoot.

So, in early February, I (Darren) was on Maui in Hawaii, working a corporate job.  While there, I received a message from fellow Esvy photographer, Kathryn, that she had received an inquiry about a possible proposal and engagement shoot on Maui.  The schedule was tight, but after trading a couple emails, texts and phone calls with Kash, we were able to work out a time and game plan for him to propose to his girlfriend at the Four Seasons on Maui.  We also coordinated our game plan with their Events Coordinator, Paola.

When I arrived at the Four Seasons, we had about 30 minutes to our appointed time for Kash to pop the big question.  Kash was secretly texting me with updates about the estimated time of arrival.  Paola and her team were putting the finishing touches on the special location.  The challenge was that the wind was so strong that it was blowing out all the candles.  Paola and I would try to re-light the candles, but Mother Nature kept on sending in the wind.  The following day was supposed to grey and a little rainy, so we were feeling the start of the storm.  The candles were important to the mood and atmosphere of the location.  With less than 15 minutes to show time, Paola makes the decision to change out candles for lanterns.  It was not her preference, but she wanted everything to be perfect for Kash and Tuisha.

With her crew already gone, Paola and I rushed to the storage closet, loaded the cart with new lanterns, rush back to the location and started to swap everything out.  At some point in there, I was literally running, trying to make sure everything was in place.  Kash texts me “We’re on our way.”  But Paola and I were not set yet.  Paola says to me, “You have to go hide!”

I sprint over to my hiding spot with maybe only 20-30 seconds to spare before Tuisha and Kash enter the area.  It was awesome to watch Tuisha’s reaction as everything took place!

“She said yes!” Kash exclaimed and cheers, hoots, and whistles rang out from the balconies above, as random people sounded off their congratulations!

As Kash introduced me and Paola to Tuisha, I was a sweaty mess from all of the running around, but it was worth it to ensure that the location was perfect.  For the next 20-30 minutes, Tuisha was still in a bit of shock and you can see it in a couple of the photos, Tuisha was completed taken back.  Great Job, Kash!  I would say that was a successful proposal!

So, going back to “things happening for a reason”…. it turns out that Kash and Tuisha from the greater NYC area, our of where I and Esvy Photography are based.  And it turns out that Kash is best friends with a guy that went to high school with me.  Also, Tuisha knows a number of people that I went to college with in Atlanta!  So it was very serendipitous that Kash and Tuisha would get engaged in Hawaii the same time that I was there and all of us have so much in common!  Such a small world!!!  Things just happen for a reason!

So…. If you want to propose to your girlfriend in Hawaii, hit up Paola at the Four Seasons and invite me to come along, so that I can photograph it! 😀

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