Meghan & Justin | Rainy & Cold PA Engagement Session

(First off, shhhhh, don’t tell anyone that I’m shooting Meghan & Justin’s wedding! I’m not technically booking any weddings outside of the Pittsburgh area at the moment [it’s just the season of life Derrick & I are currently in! And that’s okay! Once the kiddos are a bit older, I’ll probably open back up to booking a “destination” wedding or two, but at the moment, it’s just tricky with the littles] but, Meghan is a “special case” – more on that in a few paragraphs – but seriously: don’t tell anyone I’m shooting this wedding, deal? Deal.)

It was Thanksgiving morning. And I was driving thru sleet to get to Meghan’s family’s property – where I was meeting Meghan & Justin for their engagement photos. The bummer of the entire day was that: Meghan had been really hoping for snow during their engagement session – and had it been just 3-4º colder, that sleet would have been snow. But, that’s besides the point.

As I arrived at the “main house”, Meghan & Justin pulled in behind me, and we chatted for a few minutes (mostly just, “Omigosh, can you believe how cold it is – and yet it’s just not cold enough to be snowing?!“) before deciding to head up the road to Meghan’s Grandma’s house. Below Grandma’s house was a lake & a barn – and since both of those locations held strong, happy memories for Meghan, we wanted to start there – at a location that was rich with meaning & memories.

After less than 10 minutes of time, we abandoned the lakeside (it had started icily raining pretty steadily). We quickly ducked into Grandma’s house to warm up a bit & make sure it was okay that we took some photos in the barn.

Grandma came bustling out of the kitchen – it was only 8:30am, but Grandma already had her apron on & was working on the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner. The house was warm & smelled like a gift shop-mixed-with-the most delicious home-cooked meal you ever had.

Meghan & I waited inside, while Justin & Meghan’s Dad worked on moving the 4-wheelers out of the barn. I’m not one to quickly insert myself into a conversation or situation, but I love to just sit back & observe. And, I won’t lie: I loved watching & listening to Meghan & her Grandma chat. There was a level of friendship there that I honestly don’t see between most Grandparents & grandkids – but it reminded me of my own sweet friendship with my Grandparents. They talked & laughed together, the conversation was easy & light, obviously echoing their deep connection & friendship.

Once I saw that side of Meghan with her Grandma, I then realized that I saw that same, beautiful, sweet, strong connection between Meghan & Justin as well. They were so tender with one another, they spoke to & treated one another with such kindness, and you could just tell – the love that is between them had deep roots in an adoring friendship. It was absolutely breathtaking to observe. I know the term “soul-mate” is tossed around a lot, but that quote that says, “Whatever his soul & mine are made of, it’s the same” instantly comes to mind – Meghan & Justin are obviously meant for one another.

They met one another about 3 years ago thru mutual friends. Meghan joked that Justin simply could not resist her & that the rest is history.

Meghan has been a bridesmaid in multiple weddings I’ve photographed (and Justin has attended those weddings too – I want to go back & see if I can find photos of them together!) Just days before Aaron & Kayleen’s wedding, they officially got engaged (but, you’ll have to wait for that part of their story!) and during their reception, Meghan came up to me & said, “Omigosh, we just got engaged – will you photograph my wedding?” And of course, without hesitation, I instantly said, “OMIGOSH, YES!”

I absolutely cannot wait for the wedding this coming summer – it is going to be incredible and so much warmer than this dreary day when we got together for their engagement session!

Omigosh, can we just talk about Meghan’s amazing dress? My jaw hit the floor when I saw it – so gorgeous!!

I asked Justin to show me his best “model face” and boy did he knock it out of the park!

Thankfully, the rain (eventually) stopped & after a quick change into much warmer clothes, we were able to adventure down into the Christmas Tree Farm that Meghan’s family owns!