Oh my goodness, I have SO much love for this couple and this Garvin Heights Winona Engagement Session! Before I get more into this Winona Engagement Session, I HAVE to tell you about Grace and Yorkson and their engagement story! Grace and Yorkson met in Winona while attending dance events. Ok, that alone is just the cutest thing, right?? So Grace remembers seeing Yorkson around at these events, and Yorkson remembers the dance event that changed his life.

If I remember correctly, it was a ballroom dance class. (Again, could this story get more romantic? The answer is YES, just wait!) Everyone was partnering up, and Grace and Yorkson ended up spending over 2 hours learning how to waltz together, while their instructor emphasized that they should look each other in the eye as they danced! They immediately felt a connection and began to spend time with one another, continuing to attend dance classes, go out for coffee, and having great conversations with one another! As Yorkson put it, he started to realize that Grace had qualities that he connected with and wanted in a future spouse. He explained that Grace was kind, patient, and caring and he noticed those qualities in her and in how she treated her friends.

Fast forward a year, and these two are continuing to dance and spend time with one another. They both knew that they wanted to get married, but Grace didn’t have much of a suspicion that it might happen on their anniversary. On Valentine’s Day, they celebrated their official anniversary by heading to La Crosse. They started with Jazz Dancing at UWL and had a late night dinner reservation at the restaurant where they had their first official date together: Le Chateau  I seriously can’t get over how romantic their entire story is! If you’ve never visited Le Chateau, it’s this gorgeous French restaurant located in an old elegant house. Yorkson wanted the moment to be intimate and private, so he made the reservation for 9pm.

Now, to say Yorkson had a plan for this proposal would be an understatement. I swear Yorkson thought about each little detail! Before the date, he put together a photo book of memories of their year together. However, he knew that he couldn’t just carry the book in the restaurant without Grace getting suspicious. So a few minutes after being at the restaurant, he made an excuse that he had to go move his car. He literally strapped the book to his back with a running belt!!! He said he even left the ring in the car so she wouldn’t feel it in his pocket when they hugged. Talk about the master of surprises!

However, Yorkson didn’t plan on another couple being seated right near them during what was supposed to be an intimate and private dinner. Throughout the meal, he tried his best to prolong each course and continue to chat like normal. Grace still had no idea what was happening! They finished their meal and it was time to bring out the photo album, but the couple was still sitting near them. As Yorkson presented Grace with the gift, he walked her page by page, explaining each of the events. This was hilarious to hear him recall, because he was saying how he had to prolong the time so he was basically explaining all of these events that Grace and he were a part of together. It was funny to think of him talking about these things as if she had never experienced them, haha!

Finally, as he was getting to the last and most important page, the couple near them got up to leave. Magic! Yorkson had written Grace a love note on the last page and he asked her to read it out loud. He even explained the purpose behind this- it’s a magician’s trick to help people focus on what they are reading and not see any other movement around them! As she read, he pulled out the ring and placed it right in front of the book. The letter ended with … and Grace looked up to the ring and Yorkson’s smiling face….I mean, for real??? How could this story be any sweeter?!

We were so excited to finally meet Yorkson and Grace in person for their Winona Engagement Session. Cody and I couldn’t stop smiling the entire time! Grace and Yorkson just have the most fun and caring personalities, and we hope that shines through their photos! Enjoy our favorites from their Garvin Heights Engagement Session!

Of course we had to make them dance for us!! It was so much fun to watch them swing together!

We were so lucky and made it to Garvin Heights just as the sky was turning pink and orange. It was a stunning sunset!

 

Grace + Yorkson, we cannot wait to celebrate and dance with you both when you finally become husband + wife. Cody and I know you are going to make the most incredible married couple, and we can’t wait to see what adventures await you both in your future together! xoxo, Andrea + Cody

 

 

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