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The intercom announces that the contestants with boat parade entries need to meet at the launch pad, so I set Cobie on her feet. She takes Sela’s hand, and I follow Bran, Hannah, and Norris.
“Good luck, Daddy,” Cobie calls after us.
We get the boat to the water’s edge, and Norris holds on to the ropes as Bran helps Hannah up the ramp and onto the platform.
Once everything is set, I climb into the seat at the front of one of the kayaks with my camera bag slung across my shoulder. Norris pushes off of the bank and takes a seat at the rear on the opposite side. We both grab the oars that are tucked in the body of the kayaks and start to row out into the lake as the other boats launch.
When we reach the center of the bridge, we bring in the oars and wait.
When the last boat hits the water, I start the turntable and the snow machine. The two of them start to rotate under the mistletoe, and I press the button for the lights that frame the base and the spotlight that illuminates the couple. Then, Norris starts the music.
Bran and Hannah hold hands and press their lips together as the snow swirls around them, and she raises a leg in the air.
I take my camera from its bag and focus on the two of them, and the crowd rejoices as they take in the scene.
As we all take a lap toward the bank, Hoyt assigns numbers to each boat and instructs the crowd how to vote for their favorite.
Just as Hoyt is about to call for the boats to come back in, Bran’s voice pierces the air, asking for everyone’s attention.
Hannah’s confusion is evident as the music softens, and Bran slowly goes to a knee.
“Hannah Whitmar, you came barreling into my life a year ago and literally knocked me off my feet,” he begins as she lets out a sobbing laugh. “I want every year of my life to be as crazy and happy as this one was, and I know as long as I wake up to you every morning, it will be.”
He pulls the black velvet box from his pocket and opens the top to reveal an exquisite pear-shaped diamond ring. Hannah sucks in a breath, and her hand goes to her heart.
A hush falls over the masses.
“Will you marry me? Please,” he continues, his voice cracking on the last word.
I focus my lens on her face. The words are stuck in her throat as the tears stream down her cheeks.
“Baby?” he whispers.
She starts nodding her head as she extends her left hand to him.
“I need the words, Hannah,” he coaxes.
“Yes, yes, yes, I’ll marry you,” she bellows.
Bran places the ring on her finger and stands to his feet so fast that it jolts the kayaks, and I nearly lose my camera to the lake.
He picks her up, and her head sends one of the white ornaments hanging from the mistletoe crashing to the platform as he kisses her senseless.
The crowd erupts in cheers and applause as the rest of the boats make their way back to the bank.
Norris and I take our time rowing our vessel in, letting the couple inside savor the moment.
When we reach the others, all of their friends and family are waiting to greet them.
The women all embrace Hannah and gush over the ring while the men shake Bran’s hand.
It’s a beautiful scene. One I capture for my new friends.
Keller and Bob wade through the well-wishers, and Keller gives Bran a scathing look.
“You pulled a fast one.”
Bran grins at him and shrugs.
