Love Birds: Erin+Matt Philadelphia Engagement

Nearly 10 years ago, my friend Erin packed up her life in Rhode Island and headed south to start her college career in Philadelphia. She left behind all that she held dear - family, friends, fresh seafood and of course, life in our little beach town. No matter how much fun she had at PhillyU or traipsing the streets of Manayunk with her gang of girlfriends, if you asked her how she liked living in Philly, chances are she'd make a face and say 'ugh, i hate it here'.

But there were things about this city that she couldn't give up. And so after graduation, she stayed, always with a plan to get out and find her next adventure.  Erin poured herself into things she DID enjoy about this place...like continuing her education at Jefferson or working with world-renowned doctors and researchers at Penn, the families she babysat for, and maybe the stoli-dolis at one of her many side jobs.

oh, and then there was this guy. a guy who just happened to show up at her birthday bash one year. a guy that made her laugh and roll her eyes with his hilarious arsenal of 6th grade jokes. a guy that became her family and home in this city far from her beloved bay. a guy who had permission to ask for her hand in marriage nearly a year before he popped the question!! Matt was that guy and he was just what Erin needed to make her happy forever, no matter what the zip code.

It has been wonderful to watch their relationship grow and their love pour out all over the streets of Philadelphia. their love is beautiful and just plain fun...and the fact that Matt loves taking the (very) occasional trip to RI helps his case ;-).

The next step in their journey takes them even farther south, to South Carolina, where Erin will pursue her dream of becoming a doctor and Matt will likely continue to find ways to keep her sane and laughing through the stressful study times to come. Top all of those new beginnings with a new house and a very coastal RI wedding to plan for next summer and they are in for a year of decision making and excitement! but together, they can do it all and hopefully fall as deeply in love with their new city as they are with each other!

love & miss you guys!! hope you're getting settled in!

here are some of my favorite images from their philly engagement session...which seemed like it would never happen due to the crazy rain! i think we rescheduled 3 times but lucked out with the most vibrant green grass in Blanche Levy park. who knew there was a second LOVE sign in philly?!?! thanks for the tip Erin, you're more of a philadelphian that you'll ever admit!

Love Birds: Philly Engagement Preview

As I post this, Erin & Matt are likely on their way out of this city where they grew into adults, found each other by chance and wrote the first chapter of their love story. I am so fortunate to have had a chance to document some of their last moments in Philly, but I am equally excited to see what unfolds for them in their new adventures!

I cannot wait to share some more of my favorite images from this very special Philadelphia engagement session of my dear friend and her love. Tune back in later this week!

New to the Nest: Sweet Baby J

Is there anything sweeter than this 6 day old hatchling basking in the beautiful Memorial Day sun? Baby J made his debut a few weeks early, but he was strong and healthy and I think he wanted to enjoy the incredible summer weather the east coast was experiencing!  He was such a precious little guy with his serious expressions, extra wrinkly forehead and loads of hair - and a pretty debonaire side part thanks to his aunt's styling skills.

Baby J is lucky to have such wonderful parents who clearly adore every little thing about him! Thankfully they were prepped and ready to welcome this little guy no matter whether he was planning to arrive according to plan or not. The competitive spirit present in all members of his extended family is alive and kicking in J already, apparent by his need to cross that pregnancy finish line ahead of schedule :).

Hope the little man is keeping up his good sleeping habits! So glad I had the chance to document him during his very first week of what's sure to be an adventure-filled life!