People come and go in our lives all the time. Some acquaintances, some friends, some much more. But if we are lucky, at some time in our lives we meet one person that we immediately know we don’t want to let go of. Coming and going is no longer an option, no matter the distance, no matter what separates you, you will cling tenaciously to each other.

Alex and Emily first met by passing notes back and forth during the only class they shared at Grove City College. Yes, just like that middle school relationship we all experienced. But, unlike my middle school experience, they both decided that this was the one relationship that they would not let go of. Some couples struggle with a one hour drive, Alex and Emily made a relationship work from across continents while she was studying abroad, and then during a national pandemic.

When Alex proposed he took Emily out on a walk near where they went on their first date in Pittsburgh, and then took her out to the middle of a bridge and asked for her hand. After fifteen minutes (probably the longest of his life) of jubilant excitement, she realized she hadn’t actually answered him yet, so she said yes. Alex then pulled a personalized lock out of his pocket which they attached to the bridge. This lock wasn’t meant to scream to the world that they had been there though. This lock, on this bridge, was meant to show the world that they are joined together in such a way that no one can separate them, and no distance can keep them apart. While that original lock is attached to the bridge where Alex proposed, they got a duplicate made so that we could use it in a few of their engagement pictures, which was a cute way to remember that special moment.

For their session, we walked around Overlook Park in Lancaster, and even though the weather was a bit dreary, the love and joy between these too shined bright. I’m so happy to be able to document this special time for these two and I can’t wait to help them celebrate their big day this fall!!