Madison and James’s Freedom Park engagement session started out a little wet due to inclement weather but slowly turned out to be beautiful! I wasn’t even aware that rain was in the forecast, and on my side of town it was bright and sunny all day. But about an hour before the session Madison texted me and said it was raining in her area of Charlotte and her might be frizzy (which is of course what most girls are concerned with when it rains). We decided to chance it hoping it would clear up by the time we started!
From the beginning I knew James and Madison’s love was special. Madison first reached out to me over Skype for business while I was work one day. I didn’t have a clue who this girl was that was sending me an IM at work. So we started having a conversation over IM (instant messenger), and she continued to tell me the story of how she found me and that she’s very interested in me being her wedding photographer.
She first discovered me over a listing on The Knot and then proceeded to look through my website and my Instagram. It was during her internet rabbit whole on my Instagram that she noticed I had photographed a couple other people she knew from work. That’s when she decided to reach out to me! We decided to meet up for lunch one day and from then that’s when I knew they would be really special.
How they met
I knew Madison and James loved each other deeply through their story and when they told me how quickly they met, dated and got engaged (8 months!!) and how quickly they realized that they found their soulmate. I’ve said it a million times on a bunch of blog posts but when you know you know. I’ve seen it in so many of my couples. James moved to Charlotte for his job and he didn’t really know a lot of people. Through a dating app (Hinge) Madison and James formed a connection.
From the first time they went on a blind date they didn’t want to stop talking to each other. Madison had made it very clear through texting earlier in the day that she wanted to go to the Knights game later that afternoon. After having a few drinks at a local restaurant called Burton’s, (James spilled his first one all over the bar because he was so nervous lol), they Ubered to the Knights game.
While they were there they spent the entire night getting to know each other and acting goofy and having the time of their lives. They shared a plain hotdog and a few more beers at the game (both loving the fact that they both only eat their hotdogs with ketchup). There was some sort of charity day going on with bubbles so they had tons of fun acting like little kids blowing bubbles the whole time. The date was going so well, neither of them wanted it to end, so they went bowling. They went on to see each other almost every day that first week and the rest was history after that. Pretty much inseparable from the start.
How He Proposed
Basically 5 months into their dating relationship, James knew she was the one and decided to buy her a ring. He held onto that ring for 3 months waiting for the perfect opportunity to change their lives. They planned a NYC getaway/birthday trip for Madison for Easter weekend. And while Madison had a gut feeling and new the engagement was coming in the next few months, she made it clear she did not want to get engaged while they were in New York. She didn’t want the pressure of going to all the touristy locations thinking at any moment he was going to propose. James took note of that.
The night before they left for the trip, he decided that while they were packing he would pop the question. As they were getting everything together for the trip, he told her there was one more thing she needed for before they could leave. That’s when he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him in their apartment. A moment shared by just the two of them
Even though their Freedom Park engagement session didn’t start out as either of us had hoped. Their infectious love and joy shined through their images and made the night end on a good note! The sun finally popped out of the clouds just enough for some warm light. Madison and James, I cannot wait for your big day. It’s going to be so beautiful and full of easy going, and joyful love!
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