Kelsey & Sam | Rocks State Park + Kilgore Falls Engagement Session

Oooh yeah. It’s safe to say I’ve been looking forward to this session/blog post/moment for a LONG TIME. MY OTHER HALF IS GETTING MARRIED!! I get chills every time I write that! This post and session and these two mean so much to me!! I like to introduce Kelsey as my “best friend since pre-school,” or “my other half.” We’ve been through so much together, grew up together right down the street from each other, figured out who we were together… (okay, I’m gonna be fighting back tears writing this post I can tell already!). SO many memories — from being rambunctious little “angels” as kids (angels, trouble makers.. who’s counting..!), to so many deep and personal conversations that I’ll always hold close. This is a friendship where we’ve always been able to be incredibly real and genuine with each other. Even back in high school, I have to laugh that we could be real and if we just were tired or whatever, we’d understand if we had to bail on plans and it wasn’t an issue. Or when we went off to different colleges and time would pass, but whenever we’re together we just pick right back up where we left off. It’s easy to take this kind of friendship for granted, knowing it’ll always be there, but thinking back to all these moments definitely has me feeling sentimental and grateful beyond what I can put into words.

When we first coined the phrase “other half” for each other, we were spending a little vacation at Kelsey’s Pop Pop’s in North Carolina. It was a blustery chilly spring break week and I remember sitting on that empty beach just killin’ time, hanging out, and drawing in the sand. This vacation is also where I have a vivid memory of Kelsey sitting on the other twin bed on her phone, and telling me about her new boyfriend, Sam. And now here we are, nine years later and Sam is now Kelsey’s FIANCE!! THEY ARE GETTIN MARRIED YALL!! My heart is overflowing with emotion thinking about this. I’ve been excitedly anticipating it for years now. These two have already been through so much together and I know they’ll always have each other’s backs. They are each other’s rocks and soul mates and they can be laid back together just as much as they can be silly and goofy cracking up together. They take care of two sweet beautiful little fur babes, Baloo and Nala (PS I was there when Kelsey got Nala and I can attest to her being the cutest little kitten too!!).

I could go on and on. Basically, I just know this is gonna be an emotional and beautifully happy time. Kelsey, you deserve all the happiness in the world. I love you and I’m so immensely happy that you and your love will be making it official and that I’ll be able to stand by your side to celebrate you two. Sam, thank you for being an incredible and loving partner to Kelsey, and for being a goofy soul that can keep life fun and easy going for the two of you! Kelsey & Sam: CONGRATULATIONS!! from every inch of my heart. I love you guys and I am so so happy for you both. Thank you for letting me get to document even just a little bit of this milestone in your lives. I CAN’T WAIT TO PARTY IT UP AND CELEBRATE YOUR BIG DAY THIS SPRING!!!! I LOVE YOU!!

And for everyone else – I hope you all enjoy this sweet session as much as I do!! I know I’m biased, but this one will forever be a favorite and I’m so glad we could stop at these beautiful natural locations, the perfect spots for a couple who got engaged while on a hike over 4th of July!!! :)