From the photographers:
"What better start to a new year than to capture the love of a newly engaged couple, set in your city's French themed New Year's celebration? And is there anything sweeter than a kiss during fireworks? The night was clear, a bit chilly, and lit up with twinkle lights and the colorful lights of La Grande Roue de Raleigh', the city's own ferris wheel for the night. Music from street musicians filled the air and the atmosphere was one of excitement as everyone anticipated the city's annual acorn drop (Raleigh is known as the City of Oaks, thus they drop an acorn at midnight) and the fireworks that would ring in the new year. Kyla and Michael are an adorable, easy going couple. They've known each other for eight years and have always planned on being together. Knowing Kyla's love of vintage style, Michael had a custom ring designed for her. When he got that beauty in his hands, his plans for proposing around Christmas flew out the window (Kyla says he's horrible at keeping secrets!) and he asked her that day in early December. Of course, she said yes! They plan on saying "I do" after they're both out of college, and on their anniversary in October. Kyla's make up by the talented Tranequa was French-inspired, with bold lips, pink cheeks, and natural-looking eyes. We love the look of Kyla's black, lacy tights paired with red shoes, and Michael looked pretty handsome himself in suspenders and an ivy cap."
From the couple: We first met way back in 2004 in our middle school cafeteria, where the first words I ever heard Michael say were, in response to being asked if he *liked* me, "Eww, no!" Still, we quickly became friends and stayed up-to-date on each other's lives throughout middle school and early high school. During the fall of 2007, my sophomore and his senior year in high school, we finally gave in to our ancient crush and began dating on Halloween. We knew before Christmas that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together, and have been doing so since. We have also added to our family- we share a love for all animals, especially all six of our own! Our two mice, two chinchillas and two dogs are our children and help keep our relationship strong. We are both currently in school and working toward an independent life together and we couldn't be happier :)
There was no hot air balloon or airplane with a message or surprise trip to the mountains where he got down on one knee with a diamond in his pocket- in fact, there really was no specific "proposal" at all. We've known for a long time that we wanted to get married, and we've both had promise rings for years. We just both decided one day around our fourth anniversary that it was about time to stop calling each other boyfriend and girlfriend and start calling each other fiance. He then bought me a beautiful ring for Christmas, and in his excitement gave it to me on December 1st. Our friends and family all reacted as if it were a big surprise, but to us it was the most natural thing in the world.
Make-up artist: Beautiful You by Tranequa Makeup Artistry
