A Winter Engagement in Old City

Last engagement session of 2018 and the first blog post of 2019! Can’t believe how quickly the year came and went. John & Christine were complete champs to brave the cold, especially in the dresses that Christine wore. I was freezing just in my big, poofy jacket. We explored Old City near Independence Hall, ventured to Elfreth’s Alley and finally ended up at Dilworth Park to get that classic Philly shot on the medium with City Hall in the background. It was a really awesome way to close out 2018. We cannot wait for John & Christine’s wedding at the Philander Chase Knox Estate in June!

Their Story: As Told By Christine

We met through Hinge! It’s a dating app that I joined on a whim. I never tried online dating before and was new to the Philly area. John messaged me 12 hours later and that was (mostly) it! We met for a hike at Ridley Creek State park and I knew immediately that I was deleting the app because I didn’t need to use it anymore. Three years later and we’ve been together ever since! He proposed in front of my whole family on a 4th of July trip while visiting my parents and four siblings in Cleveland. I actually have it all typed out for a work post so I’ll attach it here 🙂 Do you see a hiking theme here?

We get there and start on the hike to the falls. In no time (like 5min) we get to the waterfall and observe a little from the overlook. My mom suggests “Let’s all go get a picture by the falls together!” Everyone else “Yeah, yeah, lets. What a cool pic, yeah let’s go!!” 

Always up for a photo op, I think “wow this is the most organized we’ve ever been for a picture so soon into a hike.” We make our way down to the water fall, chat with some people who are there who soon make their way away from the falls. “Don’t let us chase you off!” I say and everyone immediately says “No, no, let them go if they want.” So, I make my way onto the rock in front of the falls and my sister starts wading in the water. I’m out there very oddly by myself for our “Family” picture, my sister and I. Then she gets out (as everyone is awkwardly hanging back) and John comes out to get a picture of the two of us. “Sweet,” I think to myself.

500 pics later, my brother videoing and John saying “one more, one more,” I’m asking myself where the enthusiasm for the family pic went and take a step away …. and when I turn around, John was on his knee with the most beautiful ring (clutched with ALL TEN fingers because water, and sweeting, calmly, sweating bullets) with the biggest and earnest smile, asked “Christine, will you marry me?” 

To John & Christine:

We had the most wonderful time with you in Old City despite it being freezing cold and my car dying. Thank you again for jumping my car! You were lifesavers! We cannot wait for your wedding this year (that’s crazy) at the Philander Chase Knox Estate! It’s going to be gorgeous! Until then, we hope you enjoy some of our favorites from your engagement session.