When Keila of Keila Nieves Photography and her husband received a visit from Juomar, asking for her daughter Melanie's hand in marriage, they asked him what his plans were for the day. Juomar simply said, "I just want to do something that Melanie will never forget and want you to be part of that day." Could there be anything sweeter than that? Together, they created and captured a moment for the girl they all love at Orlando's beautiful Moss Park.
Melanie and Juomar met at church when Melanie was just 14 years old, and became friends and confidantes while Juomar worked through another relationship. Four years later, he was single and they started spending more time together; says Melanie, "Before I knew it, I was in love with him."
On the day of the proposal, Juomar suggested they go canoeing at Wekiva Springs State Park - something they'd always wanted to do - and they had an amazing time. After he brought her home, Melanie thought the day would be over, but found a surprise when walking into her room: rose petals and "a stunningly beautiful dress" on the bed, and a text message that read "The day is not over yet. Be ready at 5:00 pm. You've always wanted to go to a fancy restaurant, tonight we're going. I know you'll be beautiful, as always. I love you." He picked her up at 5, looking handsome in a suit - the first time she'd seen him in one - and they headed out to dinner... but not to a restaurant. After faking getting lost (to give Melanie's parents more time to get set up) he drove her past a beautiful field filled with tall grasses, and suggested they get out to take a picture. As they started walking, they found a picnic set up with balloons, flowers, pictures, and a picnic basket with a little silver box inside.
He then leaned forward to take the little box, and at that moment, my mind just froze. I knew what was about to happen. I knew I was going to get asked the question that every girlfriend wants their boyfriend to ask. I saw everything in slow motion, as he smiled with the box in his hands, and at the same time he knelt... Oh. My. God! My heart was beating so fast I just felt like floating in the air, and he just looked so happy. Then he asked: "Melanie... Will You Marry Me?". A sea of happiness inside me. "Yeeeeeesssss!".
“Moss Park is now officially my favorite place on earth, because it is the place that this next step in our lives started.”
After that question and answer, Melanie's family came out of hiding, and they shared the happy moments together. Juomar was over the moon about how well his plans turned out: "To me the proposal was the most difficult thing I've done in my life, and having Keila capture this moment in our lives was incredible because we can see the photos and remember how awesome that moment was."
The two are currently looking for ideas and starting to think about the guest list, wedding party, colors and themes, but taking the planning slow while Melanie finishes her degree and they save a little money for the big day. Congratulations, Melanie and Juomar!
