Cara and Russell are family.
The kind of family you never expected to enter into your life but, after which, you can’t picture your life without.
After having the honor to capture Russell’s romantic proposal, we were just as giddy and excited to capture their engagement.
Especially when they shared their vision:
Vogue. Fashion. Sexy.
The best part of their engagement wasn’t just the incredible imagery we got to work on together but their incredible love story…
And about the gift they’ve saved their whole lives to give each other.
So have you two really never kissed on the lips before?
Russell | We have never kissed and it is so so sooooo hard not to! Well for me it is.
Catherine | Yes, it is so true! We have not kissed each other yet! I mean, I know once earlier on in the relationship he tried to kiss me while I was asleep in the car. But that was the beginning and end of that! LOL!!
Why did you decide to save this for marriage?
Russell | In regards to kissing in all honesty I was not really excited nor supportive for not kissing in the beginning of our relationship. In the beginning I always whined about it. In my past relationships it would always involve kissing and it had meaning to me such as seriousness of the relationship, and if my partner really loved me. And I just honestly liked kissing there is no better connection well besides (assumingly) sex than kissing.
When I started courting Cara I was really caught off guard and actually mad because I could not determine our relationship and I really thought Cara was just not that serious or even that I was just a second best and that someone better would come about that would have been “worthy” of kissing her. That all faded as I began to see the benefit of it. I really got to know Cara and understand her and really put into prayer about marrying this woman not just on the basis of kissing or sex but for more. I would be gaining a best friend, someone I can talk to, adventure buddy, a business partner the list goes on.
So I came to respect Cara and to also protect her as well. God calls us as men to protect these women and to guard their heart, to keep her pure and when we get married we can enjoy what God has set out for us.
SEX, yes I thought about it often though the temptation and desire was so great I had an even greater desire to please God and to share it with someone that I would spend a lifetime with rather than a short while.
And being completely honest is the order of my answers I would not have sex if I can’t even kiss the person (being completely honest!)
Catherine | I decided to save this for marriage because somehow deep down I knew that this was the man God had in store for me. In other words, I knew that I was going to spend the rest of my life with Russell and we have a lifetime to love each other. (;
Yes, it was a crazy idea to me in the beginning too, but as time went by it just seemed so normal!
Aren’t you worried you might not be sexually compatible?
Russell | Growing up, not being sexually compatible was not something I ever really thought about, that was until I met Cara then people would always ask us this. So it really got me thinking. And I am sure people would ask “what if I find out that we are not sexually compatible?” And to answer that questioning (not from my own experience) but I refer to other couples who are married that I have gained much wisdom. Marriage is hard work. You spend your whole life getting to know your spouse in every aspect (sexual being one of them) if sex needs work I’ll work on it so I know what would please my wife. And it’s a new experience I would happily enjoy with my wife.
Catherine | It was never something that came to my mind, honestly! I guess you can call me a little naïve when it comes to that. It wasn’t until others found out and began implanting that idea in me. I never knew that there was such thing as “sexual compatibility,” I mean they didn’t teach me that in sex ed! Haha I won’t know until we’re married, but I can guarantee that we will be compatible because God designed it for us to be together. Even as there are people who beg to differ about that mentality, I have no worries especially since Russell & I have no one to compare each other to, sexually.
Do you think everyone should save their first kiss/sex for marriage? Do you judge others that don’t?
Russell | I believe that couples should save their first kiss/sex for marriage. Through the past year and a half my excitement has grown and I have gotten to know Cara in a way I wouldn’t have been able to if my emotions was based off the pleasure I get from kissing and sex. All this waiting makes me antsy but oh so worth the wait.
I do not judge but I know what God has called our marriages and singleness to be. I just make known what His will is.
Catherine | Personally I do think that everyone should save themselves for marriage! The first kiss does take a lot of will power though, I won’t lie! But sexually, most definitely! Think about it like this, you’re not withholding anything from yourself , you’re actually saving yourself, all of you- for your future spouse. No, I don’t judge others that don’t practice the same thing. As a matter of fact, I have friends that update me on their sex life, they know my stand on it but love me none the less nor shun me and vice versa. (:
What else would you want people to know about why you’re saving this for marriage?
Russell | 1 Corinthians 6:18 “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body. But the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.”
1 Corinthians 7:2 “But because of the the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband”
God created us to glorify Him in marriage through sex weird as that may sound it is true. Sex outside of marriage is adultery and sexual immorality which in God’s eyes is sin and is punishable. But the great thing is that we have an amazing God. No matter the sin we have a God who doesn’t withhold forgiveness or grace from those believe Him and ask for it. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
This world has become so jaded to the idea of sex that the true meaning has been lost and the intimacy of sex has been tarnished. I hope that with Cara and I do can help remind people what God really intended kissing and sex to be.
Catherine | Sex is such a sacred thing but also a huge blessing when done in the will of God! Aside from purity being a command from God, I know that we have a lifetime to experience and explore each other both mentally and physically once we become one and I can definitely wait for something this special! Ladies, if a man doesn’t want to wait for you, he’s not a man worth waiting for! God says you are far more precious than jewels!
Have you seen anyone do this also successfully and have a good marriage/sex life?
Russell | By God’s grace I have been privileged to meet and know people who have done this successfully and still continue to have a strong marriage. And by no means was it a walk in the park before marriage, but by strong faith and love for God they were successful.
Catherine | Yes! There are plenty of young married couples that we know that saved themselves for marriage. Not all saved their first kiss as well, but plenty have saved their v card for each other and are more than fine! Still very much married and in love, some with little ones running around too! (I can’t wait for THAT day, lord willing! Hehe)
Do you have any advice for people trying to do what you’re doing?
Russell | Pray hard! Being abstinent is a discipline, some people just naturally have it and some people struggle. For those who struggle it takes practice, a changed mindset and above all God to pull us through. And some good advice, seek support, there others who are fighting the same fight. Being encouraged by others is what brought me through this and will continue to through this last month of singleness.
Catherine | Self-control is definitely the biggest part of this, but the key to this self-control is to be controlled by something bigger, Christ! Russell & I would NOT have made it this long without being spirit filled and controlled. Tips? Be accountable; be open with other people- friends, family, single or married! Be transparent, share your struggles and don’t hold back, remember that sexual purity is a struggle but there is strength in number! Lastly, don’t neglect God’s holy word, memorize verses and rehearse it to yourself especially in tempting situations.
more from the engagement
Cara, you are gorgeous!
Hello, supermodels <3
Russell, David said you look sexy 🙂
GAH in LOVE with these gorgeous images!
Cara was beautifully styled by the fabulous Styled by Connie. Amazing work, Connie!
One of our favorite images of you two. So romantic <3
Sexy, Russell.
Just one more month.
Cara and Russell, we love you guys. Praying for you both – for God’s blessing, joy, strength and love. May our Lord Jesus bless your marriage and grow the more passionately your love for Him and for each other as you live life as husband and wife.
With all our love,
The DPARK Family
engagement vendors
- Engagement Photographer | D. Park Photography
- Wardrobe Styling | Styled by Connie
- Hair Stylist | e2Beauty
- Makeup Artist | Tiffani Shaik
- Bride’s Dresses | Masquerade
- Bride’s Heels | Charlotte Russe, Anna Michelle
- Earrings | Forever 21
- Groom’s Attire | H&M, Express, Michael Kors & Aldo shoes
Lovely post. Cara and Russell, i really appreciate your love towards each other. You two look gorgeous in all the photos. Wish you a happy life ahead.