Wayne & Sheila // Yorktown Beach Engagement Photographer

Strength. It's what a lot of people wish they had, but often don't when times get tough. Joy in the midst of strength is an even harder trait to come by. Over the past few months, as I've gotten to know Sheila, I have found that she possesses both of those qualities, in a very special way.

Sheila's mom deals with a lot of health-related struggles, and has for some time. We even had to postpone their engagement session once because of a few unfortunate circumstances. Yet when Wayne and Sheila showed up to their rescheduled session, they were nothing but smiles and laughter.

It was really Wayne's 'fault' that we ended up at Yorktown Beach, at sunrise, on a particularly chilly December day. Back when he proposed many months ago, he took Sheila out to that same beach and gave her a beautiful handmade box (which you'll see below). Inside was a wring and the words "Will You Marry Me?" So when it came to picking out a location for them, the choice was obvious.

Sheila exudes joy. She is bubbly and full of life. Wayne and her go together like two peas in a pod - where she is chatty, he is quiet. Where she becomes serious, he makes her laugh again. Together, their love for each other and their zest for life is evident and beautiful. I can only imagine what their big day in February will be like...

SUCH a cute way to propose!

And so we end where they began...by his truck on Yorktown Beach :)

Brien & Aimee // Outer Banks Engagement Photographer

Oh my goodness. What an engagement session this was. Brien and Aimee's story is incredible, and I know that I will not be able to do it justice here. Both of them have hoped and prayed for a spouse for a long, long time, and this past fall, God answered their prayers. Through a lot of circumstances and SO many people (myself included!) 'suggesting' they meet, Brien and Aimee began dating soon after the first few times they chatted.

Since then it's been a whirlwind, and such an exciting one at that! Brien proposed in January (you can see pictures from that here!) and they are planning a beautiful May wedding, which has been Aimee's dream since the first time she thought about her big day. Both of them are so special to me, and I have been honored and blessed to walk alongside Aimee as she met and fell in love with Brien, and to be able to witness their love story is incredible.

Aimee and Brien both love the beach, so we did something a little different and headed down to Nags Head/Outer Banks to capture their engagement. We watched the sun set together and took time to tell the story of their love, which you will see below. I only hope that I can do their story justice.

Brien & Aimee, I love you both so much. I pray that you never forget the joy you have in this moment, waiting to marry the one you have waited so long for. You both are so dear to me, and I for one am so thankful that May is only a few months away - and I'm sure you are, too!