I couldn’t stop giggling when I was photographing Alley and Manuel- their fun-loving spirit and their own giddiness was super contagious. I had so much fun working with them!
Alley said it is Manuel’s smile that makes her heart go pitter patter. She can still remember the first time their eyes met. His smile was so warm and welcoming. “Manuel,” she said, “is an amazingly considerate and funny guy. He always makes sure everyone is included and having a good time. He can make me laugh with a simple glance. He brings so much joy to my life and those around him.” Manuel said it was Alley’s eyes, inviting smile, compassion for people, dorkiness, and her tolerance of my bad jokes that made him fall in love with her. “I was hooked,” he said.
As their love story continued to develop, one of their most memorable dates happened on a relaxing day walking around downtown Seattle. They strolled around Pike Place, explored the Space Needle, discovered a blown glass pumpkin patch, met up with old friends for coffee and ice cream, and practiced their photography by taking photos of the Seattle Skyline from Kerry Park. The day was topped off with a dinner at Mistral Kitchen. Yum! Alley said the date was meaningful because it was a great relaxing detour from their daily grind. I love how the simplicity of simply being with the one you love can create the most meaningful moments.
Once Manuel knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with the woman he loved, he proposed to Alley on the vista point at Ridge Vineyards on December 23rd 2011. He gave Alley what she thought was a Christmas gift, but when she opened it she discovered he had made me a scrapbook which asked, “Will you marry me?”. Each page held a picture of him holding a sign – The first said, “WILL” and was in front of the location where we had our first date… “You” was at Cupid’s Span in San Francisco…. “Marry” was at Chez Panisse where they celebrate Valentine’s Day and “Me” was at the SCU Mission where they are getting married. As a fellow scrap booker, this story was especially lovely to me. It made my crafty heart smile!
Congrats you on your engagement. I can’t wait to get you two in front of the camera again for your wedding later this year!!
