Their Session: Laurelwood Arboretum, NJ

Petra and Abe were such a blast from the moment this session started at Laurelwood Arboretum! They kicked it off with an entire box of donuts, so I knew we would have a good time the rest of the shoot! 🙂 What I loved most was that these two don’t do surface level conversation. I could tell from just the first few minutes of their session. Abe asked such thoughtful questions right off the bat, and we were in deep conversations for the whole shoot. It was such a breath of fresh air to talk about more than the work and the weather! 🙂
These two are a joy to be around and are truly inspiring in the way they carry themselves. I admire their drive to always want to better themselves, which in turn, betters the other. They’re driven and always working hard to never stay complacent. I took so much away from our session beyond just an admiration for their love!

Their Love Story

Petra and Abe met at their Crossfit Gym! A mutual friend of theirs noticed that Petra was going through a tough time and suggested that she should talk to Abe and hear his story! They had one conversation where she just poured her soul out and although she doesn’t remember much of it, she did remember one thing! She says, “The only thing I recall from the first conversation we ever had was he told me ‘You don’t know what the future holds, you and I could end up married one day.” And now look where they are! After that first conversation, they didn’t see each other for awhile, and then one night, they had an event held at their gym that they both went to. When everything was said and done, he came up to her and asked me if she wanted to go on a date! As you can see from these sweet photos, the rest is history!
Petra told me all about their proposal! She said, “At the start of quarantine we headed down to Long Branch Beach before it was in season often to walk around and be outdoors so when he asked me to go to the beach one morning it didn’t seem like anything all that out of the ordinary. He told me we were also going to stop at my favorite doughnut shop to pick up doughnuts for us and for his sister who is currently pregnant with her second baby, so really I expected nothing. When we got to the beach I thought we were going to start walking but he said ‘Let’s take a picture.’ and then asked ‘Do you know why we’re really here?” and that’s when I realized the real reason! I wish I could tell you what he said when he got down on one knee but the excitement, shock, and overall happiness made me completely black out!”
They described each other as loving and spiritual for Abe, and empathetic and goofy for Petra! Getting to know them better, I can say they truly do fit those traits so well! When I asked what they love most about one another, Abe dove in with the sweetest thoughts! He said, “I love Petra for her kindness and empathy towards others. It truly is inspiring and humbling to see how her character shapes her immediate relationships and life around her. Truly a blessing to know her and infinitely blessed to be marring her.” Petra said, “Abe is the kindest and most giving person I have ever met. He is always going out of his way to serve others and help others better themselves which is absolutely beautiful to witness. He makes me laugh, always sees new Pixar movies in theaters with me, and believes in my big dreams and always encourages me to chase them. I am beyond blessed to have him in my life and can’t wait to call him my husband!”
Abe also loves seeing her look at her ring all the time. He noted that it’s not really the ring that does it for him but rather seeing her smile due to the love that it signifies. Petra loves being engaged to her man and mentioned that “with him by my side, I know I can do anything now.” How amazing are these two?!

Petra & Abe,

I had such an amazing time getting to know you two and photograph your love. You’re so sweet and your connection is unmatched. I learned so much from you two and your outlook on life that I’ll take with me forever. Lucky to know you two and call you friends! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness and love! Congratulations!! xo

Loving this Laurelwood Arboretum engagement session? Come check out another arboretum session here!

Spring Laurelwood Arboretum Engagement Session, NJ | Petra & Abe

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