Today's post is very near to my heart. Michelle and I first met 6 years ago when she replied to a craigslist ad I'd posted looking for a roommate. In walks this Northern California native with flaming red hair, an endless sea of freckles, skin in a hue of "fair-ness" that rivaled my own, and a playful spirit unlike anyone I'd ever known. Needless to say, we instantly connected and became cohabitation buddies. After countless moves, even more countless late night talks over doses of liquid courage, and squeezing each other's hands while going under the needle together for our first tattoos we developed a very special friendship. So when, almost 3.5 years ago, she looked at me and said, "I'm meeting up with this guy later today", the hint of anticipation in her voice was enough for me to know something monumental was on the horizon. She proceeded to tell me about Andrew - really nice, really cute guy she'd been admiring in her building for almost a year. When it had come time to move on to her next NYC apartment, she opted to throw caution to wind, figuring she'd have nothing to lose by asking him out. Either he'd say 'yes' and fate would take care of the rest or he'd say 'no' and she'd never have to run into him in the stairwell again. Best decision she ever made. Not only did he say yes, less than a year later they were living together and just 2 years after that, while I was tucked in a small $10/night hotel room in Ho Chi Minh City, I get an email from her with the subject line "Exciting News!" Details of their engagement and soon-to-be wedding plans were to follow, signing off with "Be wild and free"... in true Michelle form.
In keeping with the carefree Coachella-loving dynamic of their love, their engagement photos were filled with all things flower child - a flowing dress in ethereal blush tones, floral crown, studded gladiator sandals, and hand-made bouquet - in none other than New York City's Central Park. From Literary Walk to Bethesda Terrace, we hopped fences, chased the sun through grassy fields, plus danced & twirled our way through spring's ever-elusive and inspiringly gorgeous cherry blossoms. A gilded sign lent a nod to their upcoming wedding date - an intimate celebration on his family's private property along Bruce Peninsula's water's edge this coming July. To say I'm excited to document this kind-hearted couple's union would be an understatement of the year.
