There were two moments this year that I was notably nervous. The first was my own proposal to my fiancé Angela, where even after practicing for days what I would do and say came out completely jumbled and half of it forgotten. I literally think I only got three words out that I had practiced. The second was a Virginia Beach surprise flash mob proposal I took part in last weekend. Even though I have photographed surprise proposals before, this one just seemed different. It’s probably just because of the uncertainty of exactly how it was going to take place and all of the many moving pieces

I was contacted by friend and colleague Missy Taylor Christianson of Antonia Christianson Events who in a roundabout way got involved in the planning of the proposal. Missy’s dear friend Stephanie Greeves who owns Center Stage Dance Company organized the flash mob proposal for Michael, a 34-year-old sailor on the guided missile destroyer Arleigh Burke. Michael who had just come back from deployment had been planning this proposal while at sea.

Michael had arranged a dinner with Jamie and her family at the Virginia Beach Town Center, nothing out of the ordinary after being away for some time. After arriving, they met their family in front of the fountain while Michael went to check on the reservations. As soon as Michael was out of sight a musician who was at the Town Center stopped playing and the dance music turned on. First Stephanie started dancing, then more, and more. Ultimately over 50 children and adults began a synchronized dance in front of Jamie and strangers at the fountain. During the last part of the song the mob separated and took a knee, that’s where Michael stepped in. Michael walked through the mob carrying a ring, a pink rose and got down on one knee in front of his family, friends and countless strangers to ask Jamie to marry him. While no one knows exactly what he said, one thing was clear she said yes! I was humbled and honored to be a part of this Virginia Beach surprise flash mob proposal!

Be sure to watch the video of the whole thing on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH-fvIHXJzs

 

Local news links covering the story:

http://www.wvec.com/my-city/vabeach/Sailor-pops-the-question-with-help-from-flash-mob-222100221.html

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/09/virginia-beach-flash-mob-prelude-proposal

View all of the photos here: http://robkorbphotography.pass.us/jamie-michael/