As I sit here to write this post, I can’t help but have “Time of my Life” stuck in my head. This was the song that Gabrielle and Bobby chose as their first dance song for their big day, which they had a choreographed dance to that was totally AMAZEBALLS. But before there was a first dance, or a wedding, or even a proposal, Gabrielle and Bobby had spent what likely seems as almost all of their lives chasing each other, going all the way back to when Gabrielle was 13, meeting Bobby for the first time. Gabrielle shared with me an emotional and beautiful email of their story, which I’m happy to share with all of you.
During a volleyball tournament, a young Gabrielle met a young Bobby and they started chatting, hitting it off right away. Gabrielle’s team had made it to the finals and during the last tournament, which was held at Bobby’s school, Gabrielle saw Bobby sitting with both of their moms, donning the colors of Gabrielle’s team, cheering them on. Clearly, Bobby the sweetheart had already had his heart stolen by Gabrielle whether he knew it or not at the time. As time went on, Gabrielle and Bobby lived in separate provinces but kept in touch. Visits were arranged whenever one party was in the town the other was currently living in, and their friendship grew stronger (with a definite hint of crush). At 17 years old, Gabrielle told Bobby that she loved him and they shared their first kiss while listening to Amazed by Lonestar, and they joked how they kept “chasing” each other from province to province, having never a time that was “right” time to be together. Fast forward 10 years later, where Bobby is working the oil rigs in Saskatchewan. At the time, Bobby was trying to sell off his house in Calgary to transfer to Australia. Gabrielle contacts him to tell him that she is moving back home to Calgary, and his exact words were, “Okay, I’ll take the house off the market and stay.” Finally, the love that had started so many years ago was able to flourish, which Gabrielle describes as being “the best feeling ever since.” Bobby the sweetheart is the romantic type, and I just want to say right off the bat that Bobby has pretty much set the bar with the amazing and cute proposal he planned for Gabrielle disguised as her birthday gift. One of the surprises he gave to her for her birthday was a heli-tour out in Kananaskis on a crisp November day (which I’ve done myself, they are super fun!). Conveniently the pilot told Gabrielle that he needed to get some updated photos in a particular location, so he set the heli down and handed the couple a “survival pack” for just in case. When the pilot had left the two alone, they took out the contents of the pack which included a blanket, champagne and chocolates for 2, as well as a dozen red roses. As they enjoyed their slushy champagne, Bobby asked Gabrielle to stand up for a few photos – to which she complied as he got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife. To which of course she said YES!!
The planning process began, and with the help of her mom, Gabrielle being the super organized type had the day planned down with no problems. She shared with me her most favorite moment from her wedding day: “Our wedding day flew by so quickly for both of us. I remember sitting in the limo after the church on our way to get photos done. I looked at Bobby and smiled, I can’t believe we’re married now!! The church was so emotional for us both (I think for me just a tad more, lol) and now that I look back on it I remember being in awe of my surroundings. The church was so beautiful and at the end of that long aisle was my Bobby, waiting for me so that we can spend the rest of our lives together. It was so surreal but the happiest moment of my life. ”
As for the amazing first dance (which you can watch here!), Gabrielle had proposed the idea of a choreographed first dance and Bobby wasn’t too keen on the idea at first. However, a few weeks later, Bobby presented Gabrielle a card that included 5 private dance lessons, much to her surprise! They arranged 11 dance lessons and they practiced and practiced, and pulled of an amazing first dance that all the guests loved, cheered and sang along to.
Honestly, I don’t know by what luck Gabrielle and Bobby found me and wanted me as their wedding photographer, but I’m so happy to have been given the chance to capture their big day. From their sweet engagement session, to the emails, and the in person meetings where we just chatted for hours, I got a sense of warmth and awesomeness from these two. Bobby is hands down a perfect gentleman and an extremely compassionate human being. Gabrielle is a wonderfully down-to-earth and kind woman who clearly loves Bobby with all of her heart. Thank you both so much for being so awesome, and for dragging me into the photo booth with you at your wedding day. I had the time of my life being a part of the process with you.
Special thank you to Glen of Glen Co Photography for assisting and second shooting for this wedding!
