Thomas + Sydney {Engagement}
I don't often get the opportunity to photograph winter engagement sessions, but I was super excited to capture Thomas and Sydney's engagement at the beginning of the month. We lucked out with great weather after the incredibly long cold snap and snow storms we've been having. It was a perfect afternoon!
We started their session at Cafe Crema in Coralville, where Sydney spent many hours working on papers and her thesis during college. I love when couples choose locations that are significant for them!
Sydney shared the story of how they first met, "Our families went to the same church in Cedar Rapids when we were little--First Congregational United Church of Christ. We both went to the same daycare in Mount Vernon as well! We have seen a cute picture of us as little stars in the Christmas pageant together.
When I was four, my family moved to Pennsylvania and Thomas's family stayed put in Mount Vernon. I moved around quite a bit growing up, and we moved back to Cedar Rapids when I was a sophomore in high school. I started going to First Congregational again with my Pop-Pop who was still active there. It was our special Sunday routine that always ended in delicious brunch. Thomas was still going to that church, though was always a little late and sat up in the balcony. We got to know each other by being leaders in the youth group. I thought he was at least in college because of the beard and asked him to work with me on a presentation for the congregation on February 14th, 2013 our senior year of high school. He said yes and our first date was on Valentine's Day at Coffeesmith's in Cedar Rapids."
After enjoying a nice cup of delicious coffee, we headed out to the snowy beauty that is Terry Trueblood in Iowa City. Thankfully the winter chill was not too bad.
This is another significant location for Thomas and Syndey, as this coming August they will be saying their "I do"s here. A perfect setting for their engagement session!
When asked when they knew each other was the one, Thomas said, "After going to the Firefly music festival and meeting Sydney's family on the East Coast, a year into dating. I realized we could have fun traveling which was a big deal since this was our first trip. She was good for anything as long as you put sunscreen on her."
Sydney answered, "Thomas went to my PopPop's funeral and was so incredibly supportive while I went through such a difficult loss. I knew he could support me as a husband after that."
They enjoy spending time together watching T.V. shows with each other (like Outlander and This is Us), going on hikes and exploring new places to eat and drink, spending time with their family, and having friends over to play games (like Catan) and Mario Carts on the switch.
Their favorite memory together was when, as Sydney shared, "We once chainsawed a hole in the ceiling of Thomas's parent's garage to get a couch upstairs... It was my second time being in Mt. Vernon. We made the couch fit!"
Their proposal story, is magical! "We had a date on a Tuesday night to go to Crazy Rich Asians after a walk around Terry Trueblood. Thomas directed this walk and took me at the patio at Terry. It was raining and we were wearing our matching red rain jackets. A double rainbow appeared and the sun setting. He told me he loved me and got on one knee--and I said yes of course! We then went to Big Grove to have a drink," Sydney shared. Love it!!
When asked what they love most about each other they shared:
Sydney: "Thomas has always been amazing at identifying his priorities and working his hardest at keeping them at the forefront of his mind. He always puts me, his family, an his running first. He knows how to be a true partner, both through the funny and exciting and through the dark and sad. I have never known such a good, honest man in my life and quite honestly don't know how I snagged him."
Thomas: "Sydney never ceases to amaze me with her ambition to make major positive changes in the world. She is incredibly generous with her time and energy, especially to causes that she has strong ties to. While she is busy bringing good to the world and doing away with the evil, she is able to be a supportive and loving partner. I know that she will always be there for me when I need her. Overall she's an incredibly inspiring woman that I somehow managed to end up spending the rest of my life with."
I am so excited to come back out to Terry Trueblood and capture their wedding this August! Thomas and Sydney are such a fun couple to work with! Their wedding will be amazing!
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