It was a day just like any other, except that it was anything but Zaccai had asked Paulene to get ready for dinner. Little did she know, this was the start of something unforgettable.

They drove to Botanic, a charming garden restaurant tucked away in Opelika, Alabama. As they walked through the doors, the air was warm with the scent of blooming flowers, and the setting sun cast a golden glow over the landscape. It was the perfect place for an evening out—but what Paulene didn’t realize was that it was about to be the perfect setting for a moment that would change her life forever.

As they strolled through the lush garden, Paulene was lost in the beauty of it all, admiring the flowers and the peaceful surroundings. But as she turned around, her breath caught in her throat. Zaccai was kneeling before her, holding a ring, his eyes full of love and anticipation. The world around her seemed to stop in that instant.

Before she could fully process what was happening, Zaccai looked up and asked, “Will you marry me?” Tears filled her eyes as she looked at him, at the ring, at the perfect moment unfolding before her. With a voice that wavered with emotion, she whispered, “Yes.”

What made the moment even more magical was that Zaccai had coordinated with a photographer to capture every second of it. Hidden in the garden, the photographer had already snapped the moment Zaccai got down on one knee, and each frame from there was a beautiful reminder of their love story.

As the couple embraced, their parents stepped forward, having quietly gathered to witness the surprise. The tears, the laughter, the joy—it was all shared in that perfect moment, surrounded by the people who had supported and loved them through the years.

With the ring placed gently on her finger, the love they shared felt tangible in the air, the future unfolding before them, framed forever in the pictures that captured their engagement, and in the hearts of everyone who was there.

The night didn’t end there. After the proposal, the couple shared a quiet, intimate moment as they sat down to a private dinner—just the two of them, savoring not only the delicious meal but the newfound joy of being engaged. The soft candlelight, bouquet of flowers, worship music, and the knowledge that this was only the beginning of their journey together made it an evening neither would ever forget.