There are few places more breathtaking than the view from the top of Maryland Heights. Standing at the summit and looking down over Harpers Ferry, with the rivers meeting below and the town tucked into the landscape, it’s easy to understand why this spot feels so special. It has a way of making big moments feel even bigger.

JB chose this iconic overlook to ask his then-girlfriend, Katie, the most important question he has ever asked: Will you marry me? The plan was a beautiful one, but the execution turned out to be a lot more exciting than we expected. Because of their limited time in the Harpers Ferry area, we had a very narrow window to make this surprise proposal happen. That window landed squarely on October 31, a day that turned into a full-on windstorm.

The hike up to the Maryland Heights overlook is no joke on a good day. It’s challenging, steep in places, and definitely earns you that summit view. On this day, the wind howled through the trees, branches came down around us, and the gusts at the top were intense. Since the proposal was a surprise, I couldn’t communicate the conditions to JB ahead of time, and even if I could have suggested changing plans, there simply wasn’t another opportunity to do the hike.

So I waited at the summit, praying they wouldn’t get blown over the edge and that no one would get hit by one of the many flying branches. And then… they arrived. Despite the wind, the wild hair, and the slightly terrifying gusts, JB popped the question, and it was perfect. Emotional, joyful, and full of love. The view didn’t disappoint, the moment was unforgettable, and Katie enthusiastically said yes!

As a photographer, I love sessions like this not just because the photos are incredible, but because I genuinely enjoy the hike and the experience. There’s something powerful about working for a moment, physically and emotionally, and being rewarded with a view and a memory that will last forever. Maryland Heights is a challenging climb, but it’s also one of the most romantic places to pop the question. Katie & JB proved that sometimes, even when the conditions aren’t ideal, the moment still becomes everything it was meant to be. 💕⛰️