THE MAEWOOD JOURNAL

Country Side Engagement Session

Steph and Denny standing in the tall golden grass at sunset

Engagements & Anniversaries

October 6, 2018

You know those love songs that lift your heart a little higher and make you feel good about life? That connect with you on an almost deeper level? The ones that give your soul a little hug and, for those few minutes, allow the worries of the day to melt away because you’re so immersed in the emotion? That’s the feeling we got photographing Steph & Denny’s engagement session last weekend! After a long week of school, work, and travel, watching the love they have for one another unfold before us was the breath of fresh air we needed to help us chase away the “Smonday” blues!

Smonday (n.) – the point at which Sunday stops feeling like Sunday and the anxiety of Monday kicks in.

You’re welcome!

From the moment we met Steph & Denny last summer for their wedding consultation, we knew they had a special connection – one that endured despite having a whole country of distance between them. You see, they met in February of 2017 when Steph was living on the California Coast. Meanwhile, Denny was residing back east in Monkton, Maryland. A mutual friend played the role of undercover matchmaker by tagging a picture of Steph on Facebook, prompting Denny to reach out to her via messenger. They had immediate chemistry and began chatting back and forth online, sending texts here and there, talking for hours at a time whenever they had the chance. They were building the unshakeable relationship they have today on a foundation of friendship, perhaps without even really realizing it.

love

When Steph moved back to Maryland from the west coast the following month, they were finally able to meet in person. But instead of feeling awkward or uncomfortable (though feeling either would be completely understandable) in that first face-to-face encounter, it was as if Steph & Denny had known each other for years! Conversation came easily without even a trace of an uncomfortable silence, they learned they had even more in common with one another than they originally thought, and they laughed until their cheeks began to cramp. They just instantly clicked.

So, fast forward to Denny popping the question –

It was May 20^th, Steph’s (and coincidentally, Meg’s!) birthday. Unbeknownst to Steph, Denny had been planning his proposal for weeks, but just couldn’t find a time that felt just right. At first, he wanted to do it while they were on a hike, but it still didn’t feel like the perfect moment, so he decided to hold off. Instead, he waited until the morning of her birthday to commence plan “Put a Ring On It.” While Steph was out gardening, he snuck into the house and slipped the ring box into her extra pair of muck boots, then attempted to craftily, covertly, and ever so nonchalantly suggest she switch pairs. But Steph, being very engrossed in the task at hand, wasn’t really picking up on Denny’s subtle hints to go get her other boots.

love

For what seemed like hours, Denny tried to figure out a way to adjust his course on the sly, until finally, Steph gave in, strutting off to get the boots so she could get on with her gardening already. Little did she know what was waiting for her in that rubber-soled ring receptacle!!!! As soon as her fingers grazed the box’s distinctly fancy edges, it finally hit her why Denny had been so insistent on her switching up her footwear mid-gardening! And, of course…she said yes!

Fast-forward one more time to their engagement session, just one month before they say “I do” –

Picture this: rolling fields of golden, sun-kissed wheat with pops of little purple and white wildflowers…the hallmark combination of warm rays and a cool breeze dancing across your skin, announcing the approach of autumn…a brand-spanking new horse barn with tiny trails of light flittering between the beams overhead. All of this set to the tune of giggles shared between two people so hopelessly enamored with one another that your heart both melts and is lifted all at the same time (well, along with the literal tunes serenading us from across the country lane where a local band was practicing for an upcoming gig!). To watch Steph & Denny interact so naturally, with such unfettered affection for one another in front of the camera was downright rejuvenating if you ask us.

love

In fact, the look in their eyes as they gazed at one another in that sunlit wheat field reminds us of lyrics from one of those spirit-lifting love songs we mentioned earlier:

“You by light is the greatest sight, In a world full of wrong, You’re the thing that’s right…”

~ Terrified by Katherine McPhee

If that doesn’t perfectly caption Steph & Denny’s love for one another, well, we don’t know what does. Congratulations, you two! We are so happy the universe (and your mutual friend) brought you both together, and are eternally grateful that somehow that path led us to meet you! Sending you ALL the loves in this last leg of your wedding planning journey!!!

Steph and Denny's Fall Country Engagement Session in Harford County, MD in the field of tall grass