arabia mountain engagement session

KayLeigh and Michael | Arabia Mountain Engagement Session

KayLeigh_and_Michael-79.jpg

I am so excited for this couple!! I met KayLeigh through her grandmother, Pamela. Pamela and I have been friends for about eight years or so and I just love her! When Pamela would talk about her granddaughter, I knew that I would love her too! KayLeigh arrived at my office for her consultation after her and Michael got engaged and she was just beaming!! I got to meet Michael for their engagement session just a few weeks ago and he is a wonderful person and, together, they are just amazing!

KayLeigh and Michael went to middle and high school together but they never knew each other existed until years later. KayLeigh’s best friend, Samantha, was also Michael’s best friend in high school. Out of the blue, Samantha said to KayLeigh, “You know who you would be good with?" Michael Baker!” Kayleigh immediately went to social media and looked him up. She realized they were already Facebook friends. She never reached out to him after looking him up but she did think he was SUPER handsome!

Several months later, she was scrolling through social media and his picture popped up, so she gave it a little “thumbs up” and went on about her day. About two months later HE reached out to her AND asked her on a date!! KayLeigh was filled with joy that he had asked her on a date.

Their first date was such a huge hit, they went to Tin Lizzie’s and became best friends instantly and have been inseparable ever since. 

A few months before Michael proposed, he went to KayLeigh’s grandparents house and asked for her Poppie’s blessing. He knew he couldn’t tell her mom OR her grandmother because they aren’t the best at keeping secrets from KayLeigh. They are just so close!

KayLeigh and Michael had a weekend getaway planned for Jekyll Island in Georgia. On May 25th he wanted to go grab dinner at this place next to their hotel. KayLeigh thought that was odd because she didn’t realize there was anything next to their hotel. But, of course she agreed. Instead of walking on the sidewalk to go the restaurant, Michael asked if she wanted to walk on the beach to get to it which was an immediate YES from her. As they were walking down the beach, KayLeigh saw a man down on one knee and a woman standing up next to him. Her immediate reaction was “Oh my goodness, how sweet! I think he is proposing”. She later found out that this was the guy who Michael had hired to take pictures of their engagement and the woman was his assistant. At last, Michael was able to get KayLeigh in front of him and when she turned around to see why he stopped walking, he was down on one knee asking her to marry him!!!

PURE shock ran through her! While she knew with everything inside of her that she would marry this man, she had NO clue that he would be asking her to be his wife that weekend. She shed so many happy tears that day. 

KayLeigh mentioned in an email to me, “I fell in love with Michael extremely fast & it truly surprised me how strong my feelings were for him. He has showed to be the most caring, loving, funniest, most adorable human being I’ve ever met. While our story brought us together on social media, there is no doubt in my mind that God would have drawn us together another way if social media didn’t work. God knew exactly who my soulmate and partner would be the moment he made me and I’m so glad that Michael was that person.”

And that is so true! God has created us and our partners WAY before we knew how to talk! Isn’t that so beautiful?! To know that when we walk in faith and trust our Savior, He will always be there to provide our hearts desires!

KayLeigh and Michael, Congratulations!! I cannot wait to see you two say “I Do”!!

 
xoxo,h.jpg
 

Erin and Josh | Arabia Mountain Engagement Session

monroe_ga_wedding_photographers_0053.jpg

Josh and Erin go way back to almost ten years ago! They met while working a summer camp program. Erin was a part of the gymnastics classes and Josh was hired on as a lifeguard. They didn’t really hit it off right away! Erin saw Josh as the cool, motorcycle riding guy that sat in the back of the class! Josh saw Erin as a front row of the class kinda girl with her ducks in a row and maybe he thought she was a little bossy too! Their first impressions of one another weren’t the best but after hanging out together more and more through work they both realized first impressions aren’t everything!

Erin mentioned one day to Josh that she really wanted a chocolate cake like the one on Matilda the movie. He took note and guess what?! He actually baked her a chocolate cake with sprinkles!! How sweet and thoughtful was that?! And Erin was very taken by his surprise!

Once summer camp came to an end, it was time for Erin to head back to school for classes at The University of West Georgia in Carrolton, Ga. One day while at school Erin was hit with a SEVEN hour physics lab followed by a physics lecture and a huge report that was due the next day! It was an “off” day for her and Josh was right there for her! When he found out she was having such a crudy day, he hopped on his motorcycle and made the one and a half hour drive from Conyers to Carrollton to make sure he could be there to lift her spirits and help her finish that report!! That’s about the time Erin realized Josh was a very special guy!!

One very frigid evening, Erin and Josh were walking around Ol’Town Conyers enjoying the twinkle lights in the botanical garden, watching the ice skaters battle to stay upright, dinner at one of their fave places, drinks at a local bar and then ending their walk with coffee and hot chocolate. When Erin couldn’t feel her hands any more they decided to make their way home. They were in separate cars and Josh ended up getting home before Erin. When she walked into their home she found Josh and their dog, Diesel right beside him, standing in the living room. As Erin approached him, Josh dropped to one knee and asked her to marry him!!! She was in complete shock and instantly said YES!!! What a beautiful way to end a perfect night!!! 

We celebrated their love during their engagement session at Arabia Mountain in Lithonia, Ga. this past Sunday. What a beautiful evening it was!! It was my first time photographing at the mountain and I think we captured some serious magic between these two! 

I can’t wait until your wedding day!!

 
xoxo,h.jpg