Love and Light: Romantic Engagement Session in Malibu, CA

Michael and Eboni knew they were destined to be together in the 8th grade!

Michael shares, “I remember like it was yesterday when she came walking in the lunchroom as the new girl to the middle school. Literally all eyes were on her. And my heart and eyes were instantly locked in on her from just being in awe.” After perusing his adolescent crush for months, he finally got the courage to ask Eboni to be his girlfriend by presenting her with a cake he baked just for her. Sweet!

The romantic gestures would continue throughout their high school relationship and culminated years later with Michael asking Eboni to be his wife on Christmas Eve in front of family and friends.

They decided to commemorate their engagement by having an engagement shoot at a place that is significant and special to them, Malibu, CA. Eboni shares, “Michael took me to Point Dume in Malibu when I visited him in CA for the first time. It was here that we decided that we are going to be together seriously (we were playing for some time) and make our relationship work.”

Their love for each other radiates in every photo! See more from their romantic engagement shoot below.

Couple: Michael and Eboni
Wedding Date:01/17/2020
Engagement Session Location: Point Dume in Malibu
Wedding Date: March 21, 2021

How did you meet?

Eboni: We met in middle school, 8th grade. I was the new girl at school, so I was mostly just taking it all in (the new school, the people, the teachers, classes, etc.). I noticed many of the boys were trying to get my attention. I was shy and overwhelmed. So Michael started to pursue me and I liked him. He would spoil me at our young age, which was new to me! Then, on March 22, 2008, he invited me over to his house (his mom was having a dinner party). He asked me to go to his room (I was nervous, lol!). He brought out a pink strawberry cake (he baked it) and asked me to be his girlfriend. Of course, I said yes!

Michael: We initially met in the 8th grade. I remember like it was yesterday when she came walking in the lunchroom as the new girl to the middle school. Literally all eyes were on her. And my heart and eyes were instantly locked in on her from just being in awe. Eboni was a breath of fresh air. Even young I always had a persistent yet tranquil approach, and I would persistently approach Eboni every opportunity I got. Getting cards, flowers, a bracelet, and matching shoes. I wanted to shower her with affection. Even then I could track my thoughts and feelings knowing that she was the one I wanted to spend my life with. I invited her over to meet my mom for a dinner party.

What did you do on your first date?

Our first official date was a dinner in NYC. We got dressed up, like we were grown, lol! We were only 16 or 17. It was our first time in NYC without adults. We took the train into the city and walked to this Italian restaurant. Wish we could remember the name of that place. It was delicious and a true experience. It is still one of our most special times. Right after dinner, we had to get back on the train because Eboni had curfew, lol!

Tell us your proposal story.

Eboni: It was Christmas day. Our families were together at my parent’s house. Prior to our engagement, I asked Michael to keep our engagement small and intimate (I do not like much attention and did not want many people there). He asked me to come into the living room with him. I could feel how nervous he was, he was shaking. He explained that he knew he loved me since we were kids and wanted to spend his life together. To be honest, I do not remember word for word because my heart started to pound. Then, he asked me to marry him. I said yes, but told him he has to ask while he’s down on one knee, lol! So he got down on one knee, took the ring out and asked me again. I said yes, again.

Michael: We were going back home to New Jersey for the holidays so I figured this be a great time and opportunity to propose. Eboni’s family is very dear to her heart. I remember her saying it would mean the world and make her very happy if her family was there when I proposed. We took a trip to NYC a few days before Christmas, now mind you at this point I didn’t have a ring to even propose! But during that trip to NYC, I actually got a ring. This was just a few days before Christmas, it was a feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment once I got the ring, and Christmas Day was a perfect time to do so, as we would spend Christmas morning and Day at Eboni’s parents’ house. Of course, everyone was in on the secret. So as the evening came around, I took Eboni by the hand and walked her into the living room. I was nervous as F**k! I really don’t know why but at that moment I was for some reason. It was like an out-of-body experience. I got on one knee and proposed. I can’t remember what I exactly said, but I just remember her saying, “I do”

Describe your engagement session.

We wanted our engagement shoot to be somewhere that was significant for us. Michael took me to Point Dume in Malibu when I visited him in CA for the first time. It was here that we decided that we are going to be together seriously (we were playing for some time) and make our relationship work. We did not have a theme. We just wanted our shoot to be somewhere that is special to us.

What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple?

We love to drink coffee and go to Barnes and Noble together. Our coffee dates are every morning.

How has wedding planning been so far?

Wedding planning was going well, prior to COVID-19. Now, our wedding planning is on hold. We had to postpone our wedding until March, but we are still unsure if we will be able to have a wedding in March now. We plan to elope, in the meantime, just in case our wedding does not happen.