CJ + Cassidy | Red Wings Proposal Story + Ice Rink Engagement
Cassidy and CJ went to a Red Wings hockey game in Detroit on November 24th, 2018. Both have always been major Red Wings fans and actually met playing men’s league hockey in Iron River, Michigan! Prior to the game, CJ picked out a ring completely on his own and didn’t tell a soul about his plans. He told his mom a few days before they left for their trip, and asked Cassidy’s mom for permission on Thanksgiving Day.
Between the first and second period at intermission, they got up to get some pizza and beer. While standing in line, CJ turned and said, "Oh shoot I think I forgot my chew on the counter at the beer place!” So, Cassidy told him she would grab the pizza and meet him back at the seats, and in true Michigander fashion, she wanted to pick up some ranch to go along with it too. It just so happened that the only way to get ranch was to get a small sauce container that wasn't covered and to fill it with ranch. CJ hates ranch, so she couldn’t put it in the pizza box. With all of the zeal of a Midwesterner, she wove through a crowd of people with a giant, full beer while balancing ranch dressing on top of a pizza box -praying no one would compromise the ranch. When she finally made it down the stairs to our row and walked through even more people, CJ hastily grabbed the pizza box with the ranch teetering on top. Cassidy felt herself getting irritated. DON’T SPILL MY RANCH. But as soon as he sat down the box, he got on one knee and proposed! When CJ had said he’d forgotten his chew, he was actually assigning a random stranger to take a video of the whole thing. Later Cassidy asked him why he took my pizza away from her, but not her beer. "I didn't want you to drop the pizza, but I knew you wouldn't drop your beer." True freaking love.
Cassidy and CJ’s pups are super important to them, so of course we had to include them! Vic is a 5-year-old purebred German Shepard they adopted together from Northwoods Animal Shelter. He’s actually papered, and his full name is Field Marshall Von Victor. He’s certainly close to CJ. With original intentions to rescue a German Shepard puppy, Vic sealed the decision to adopt him instead when he stuck his paw out of his kennel and dragged CJ’s mom’s purse! He was very malnourished initially and wouldn’t eat food as one would hope, so they first had to prepare cooked dog food and slowly transition to dry food. He’s now incredibly healthy and happy, and maybe a little spoiled.
Choco, the lab, was Cassidy’s since she was 11 years old. She has always been near and dear to her heart as she was a special gift from Cassidy’s father. Choco had helped Cassidy through the hardest of times. Only a few months after the shoot, Choco passed away. CJ and Cassidy were incredibly grateful they were able to include both dogs in their engagement photos for all of the reasons above.
Fun fact: pretty much the only TV show they can collectively agree to watch episodes over again together is Impractical Jokers! They simply have very separate tastes in shows and movies. Otherwise, they exclusively watch hockey. This honestly makes me feel better hearing this from other humans, because Dustin and I just don’t really watch TV! Our tastes are quite similar, but the only two series he and I have ever completed watching are Stranger Things and Breaking Bad, lol!
Based on how the couple met and their proposal story, we had to make a stop at Iron River’s local ice rink! Cassidy has played hockey since about age four, meaning she’s been on the ice for almost two decades. CJ started playing while he was 10.
CJ and Cassidy were SO fun to work with, and while I was unfortunately unavailable for their wedding date, they’re in great hands with our own wedding photographers, Boy Girl Beauty World! I can’t wait to see the stunning wedding photos!