The Rock. A perfect little spot for a romantic occasion.

So, ever since DJ Smith asked me to get hitched, I've had it in the back of my head that I'd like to do something really creative for engagement photos. I even looked it up on Pinterest, so you KNOW I was for real looking for something unique. (Pinterest, although fascinating, I don't actually use when I'm working on a project. I just like to LOOK at it from time to time.)

I wanted to make the text of the message part of the photograph, not something printed on in post production. And then one day it hit me....

Benny and I met at UT... we're both UT grads, we both love the Vols....

HOW ABOUT THE ROCK????

Perfect.

For those not in the know, The Rock is on the UT campus and is a canvas for free speech. Meaning, you can paint it if you want to. Over the years, it's held marriage proposals, important dates for upcoming events, vulgar things about rival schools - you name it, it has probably been painted on The Rock. It has been painted so many times (I heard a tour guide one time say twice a day, and I kind of believe him) that all the layers of paint got to be too much this summer, and three tons of paint layers slid off (I was in Scotland at the time).

Now here's the kicker: you can't reserve The Rock. It's either there and no one's painting it (feel free to jump in with buckets and brushes!) or someone's there painting it (too bad for you, come back later.)

This does not fit well with me, Miss Schedule-ey Check Mark Getting Stuff Done person. Factor in outside photos (one cancellation was due to a threat of rain) and hiring a photographer (I owe you Ruth's Chris) and you have an anxiety attack waiting to happen.

But! On the appointed day, at the appointed hour, the coast was clear. We immediately jumped into action.

Who's we? I enlisted friend and colleague, Ingrid Ruffin, to help me paint. She paints a monthly mural on a glass board in the library, and she agreed to help me paint my message for the engagement photos. I was worried about having to scatter would-be painters if things got rough, so I also enlisted friend Johnna Easter to provide security.

also helps because johnna is super tall and helped with the top of the rock.

Bear in mind that while we're painting, we attract all sorts of attention. Cars honked, tour groups filed by eyeing us with interest, and we did have to turn away one group of potential painters. (They were super sweet girls and thought the engagement photo idea was adorable and painted the backside of The Rock instead.) Also showing up?

mayberry deputy fife. i asked him if he was going to citizen's arrest us but i think i confused him because he just said 'no.'

It took us a few hours, then I scampered home to shower and get gussied up for the actual photos. When I returned:

ingrid was super proud of her creation!

And the photo shoot commenced. 

good times.

And in the end?

worth it.

Great day. Oh, it's not the first time I've painted The Rock, but it's certainly my favorite.

me as a freshman at UT. i'm so proud.

tiny photo, but this was actually a class project i did with my friend jill in graduate school. 

And of course, we topped the day off with:

selfies!

Thank you friends for making a fun project just that much more enjoyable. Read friend and fellow blogger Jonathan Young's take on it here. 

What's that ticket worth to you?

Actual conversation between me and DJ Smith:

DJS: Hey do you want to go give blood today? They're giving away free tickets to the Fantasy of Trees if you donate blood.

M: We don't need extra tickets. I got some already for us.

DJS: Yes, but Ella may want to take a friend. I thought we could get extra tickets that way if she wanted to bring someone.

M: Sooooo.... we basically will be getting blood tickets to the Fantasy of Trees? Is that a thing?

DJS: Do you want it to be a thing?

M: HELL YES I DO.

DJS: You get free pizza too.

M: YOU MEAN FREE BLOOD PIZZA.

this is my blood ticket

these tickets are conflict free