Oh friends…are you ready for this adorable Engagment Session?!

I first met Hope & Sam on a sunny Sunday afternoon and INSTANTLY fell in love them! Their love story started all because of a love of running and turned into a deep love for each other.  They were in high school but went to two different high schools that were rivals when it came to the Cross Country teams.  On a cold night one December evening back in 2011, Sam and his family walked in to a Mexican restaurant in Sam and Hope’s hometown in Wheaton, IL. Hope, working as a hostess at the time, worked to get Sam’s family a table and hurried back to continue her duties as the hostess. Sam, recognizing Hope from a cross-town rivalry Cross Country team (Sam attended Wheaton North while Hope attended Wheaton-Warrenville South), decided to go up and introduce himself to her!  That was the beginning of a five year long adventure that included attending Purdue and running for their Cross Country and Track teams!

When it came time for Sam to plan how he was going to ask Hope to be his wife, he knew it had to involve running in some sort of way.  So while Hope joined Sam’s family on a family vacation to New York City last December, he came up with the perfect plan to surprise her.  As they took a morning run through Central Park, Sam knew they would be arriving at the most picturesque spot in no time. As they approached a lake overlooking the New York City skyline…he knew this was it! On bended knee, Sam asked Hope to be his wife…and well you know the rest of the story.

These two love the outdoors, so we of course took our session to a forest preserve nearby the high schools they attended a few years ago.  You know that I love new locations spots!  I was in HEAVEN!  And wait until you see their outfit change… such a good choice that is part of their story!  Enjoy these preview images!