College lovebirds, where you at?! Samantha and Nick met in college about seven years ago when Sam was a senior and Nick was working on the security team at her school. Over the course of her final year in college, they became better friends. She made him a thank you card for helping to make her feel safe on campus (uh, is she not the sweetest human ever?!) After graduation, Nick sent Sam a Facebook message to thank her again for the card and they started talking from then on. They made plans to go on a hike together in my hometown, *hint hint, this gorgeous reservation and pond right here!* and the rest was history – they’ve been together since! It was so awesome getting to see the location where their love story really began; I absolutely love e-sesh locations that hold extra-special meaning to my couples!

Did I say extra-special? Add a few extras to that once you hear this proposal story! Sam told me, “It was our 5th year anniversary and we had made plans to re-create our first date. We went on the same hiking trails and reminisced about the last 5 years together. They were great years. At the end of the hiking trail, on a mountain known as “Snowball” by the locals, Nick got down on one knee and asked me to marry him in the middle of the open sunny grassy meadow. I said yes!” SO AMAZING, go Nick!!

Hiking is a big passion for these two, but if they’re not climbing over rocks and through nature trails, they’re trying new foods from all over the world! I love that they inspire each other to get up and move, to try new foods, and to go on new adventures! Couples who are up for anything seriously win in my book!!

What was supposed to be an hour drive to Saffin Pond in Jefferson, NJ took me almost three hours, so photographers, *pro tip*: use Google maps to see what typical traffic is like on the route that you’re going at the exact time you plan to leave… and then add 2 hours to be safe 😂! We made it with more than enough time to capture this reservation’s beauty and alllll of the laughs and precious moments captured between these two. I was laughing as I edited the photos where I asked Nick to whisper something into Sam’s ear, because I remember him looking at me with an “I didn’t know there would be homework” look – he warmed up to my games and totally rocked the machine gun kisses and drunk walks like a champ. It’s so fun seeing my couples loosen up and get all lovey and comfy together; forgetting the camera is there is when we get the best in-between moments! AH, my heart is so happy! Sam and Nick, thank you both so much for being up for anything from getting a little lost off the trail to being so incredibly in love! I am so excited for your big day in just a few months, it’s going to be amaaazing! <3

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