CT.Ward – Page 3 – ARROW AHEAD

"Waves of Love" Music Video

The Waves of Love... It's been a long and enduring journey to get here. There's a deeper tale that's to be told than just words in a song.
This video has been in the works for a few months now. It took me a month to record the song in my studio space and get it to the point of which I was relatively satisfied. Annika and I did many road trips around the island in order to get the necessary shots that were envisioned. days of editing and sifting through footage all ad up to this.

I'll continue to add photos and more text in the next week.

by CT.Ward

A New Chapter Opened Pt. 1

There's been a lot that has happened in the last few months - All leading up to a grand new chapter in this book of life. My relationship with Annika has been a very wild adventure for the last two years, filled with travel, laughs, cries, success contrasted with trial and error. But non the less a tale that will go down in my book as a memorable accomplishment of patience and seeking.
Learning to love someone with sacrificial care is probably one of the most heavy tasks that has been taken on. From the moment that I had asked her to go on our first date, I knew that there was a sense of valleys and mountaintops that would come with it. We've jumped off many cliffs together, some of which I went alone and waited for her to catch up, or stood by for her to see the open doors.

After many, many days passing - our thoughts and hearts in alignment, the time came for us to take the next leap of faith. One that was both daunting and filled with curiosity of the unknown... Marriage.
The topic had been floating above us for sometime with circumstance, fear, doubts, unwillingness to move ahead holding us down and back. But God ultimately chased us both down and set the path straight, giving the strength and courage to take a step beyond what the world would see as a good foot forward.

On February 24th, 2018 there was a plan in my head to propose. The big question that sets apart the past, present and future with four words. Will.You.Marry.ME.
There was a camping trip that had been established by some friends from church. The location a cabin at the base of Mauna Kea on Mana Road. I have never explored the area and was incredible stoked to check it out. The day that we were set to leave for the cabin was a major battle... Fighting myself, the sea of negative thoughts, concerns, and weary feelings of unknown future nearly kept me from attending the trip. Luckily my buddy Carl basically forced us into going, by providing a ride despite me telling him that I didn't want to go. (It's good to have friends that push your limits)
The ring that I had designed was with me and the vague idea of how to go about delivering this message. The journey was a few hours. Nearly an hour off-roading towards the base of Mauna Kea where the cabin stood. The first night there was great, good people, good food, some brews, and a plywood bed for my head to rest. Now the next morning - Saturday comes, breakfast, ripping on motorcycles and shooting arrows and targets. My mind contemplating the idea of playing a song with Annika for the whole group of folks camping with us, but something happens while I'm praying. I get the idea that perhaps if I were to do it amidst the entire group, the dynamic would change and would be less intimate. So I continue to pray and ask that it would flow naturally in the way that it's meant to... I consider asking her to go on a hike through the apple orchards near by, then Annika and our friend/island cousin walked up to me and asked if I would want to go for a stroll through the apple orchards. And there we went, barefoot and a light misty rain in the air. Surrounded by Koa trees and beautiful mossy grass. This was one of the most calming walks that I had been on in a long time. In my heart I just kept praying that it would be good and everything would rise into place. Walking along the path we came to a fence and a little cabin style house amidst the apple orchards. Looking around through the buildings and whatnot I just knew that this was the time and place. Our friend Katherine had her camera with and wanted to take a photo of us on the steps to the house. We did and then, I told Annika to go check out the big tree that was directly in front of us. While she was curiously searching about the woods, I looked at Katherine and asked if her camera shoots video, she said "yes" and I grinned then simply said "Get ready..." She had no idea what was in store, but then it clicked. She saw it playing out before her. I walked over to the large Koa tree and began talking to Annika about our journey together, how far we've come and the wild ups and downs we've fought through. Then the moment came, camera rolling and witnesses beside us, I pulled out the koa wood box that I had made with our friend/cousin Robbie, got down on one knee and asked her to spend the rest of her life adventuring and navigating the great seas of life.
She couldn't believe that this was all happening in this time and place, but she stated that it was perfect. Repeatedly saying, "yes, yes,yes,...of course" she accepted my proposal and we were beginning to turn the next page in our lives. I borrowed a knife and carved our names into the Koa Tree where I proposed.

The walk back she was glowing with happiness (even more than usual). Our feet smothered in mud and the quiet drizzle of rain collecting on our jackets. Then something awesome happened, amidst all the rain that had gone on the entire trip so far, the sky broke open with bright beams of sunlight. Huge billowing clouds parted and swirled above us and the deep green rolling hills. We stood in awe, thankful in all it's grace. Back at the cabin the door was shut with nearly everyone inside playing card games, staying warm around the fire. We stand at the door and look at each other. "Ready?"
I push the door open and Annika yells "We're getting Married!" Immediately everyone jumps up and goes "What!", greeting us with congratulations and hugs. Nobody had any idea, I hadn't shared my thoughts or idea with anyone. But they all said it was well played. The evening carried on with celebrations and stories shared.