Xavier & Lyn

For Lyn, it was a surprise. For Xavier, it was a plan we had quietly put together before the day.

The setting was a distinctive rock on the coast near Tromsø, with snow-covered mountains across the fjord. Xavier and Lyn would make their own way there and climb onto the rock. I would already be waiting with my camera and drone, watching for their arrival.

We had kept a reserve day available in case the weather called for a change. But 10 October brought good conditions, and the original plan could go ahead.

While I waited, I sent Xavier photographs of the exact spot to make it easy to recognise. At my request, he also shared his live location on WhatsApp. Those small details meant I could follow their approach and be ready without meeting them first.

They reached the rock, and everything fell into place. Xavier proposed above the water, with the mountains behind them.

Afterwards, we stayed for photographs along the shore and among the autumn colours nearby. The question had been asked. There was time for an embrace, a closer look at the ring, and simply being together.