There is no better way to start a wonderful love-filled day such as this than with the most romantic and breathtaking engagement session ever from Katelyn James Photography! The love story of this very adorable couple is one of the sweetest I have ever had the pleasure of sharing! From the day it began in kindergarten to their very first kiss, shared just moments after(!!!) he proposed. Prepare to fall in love with the amazing lighting, the gorgeous fall colors and the beautiful vintage touches of this shoot, and the love story that is Mandy and Josh!

Their story begins in kindergarten, where Josh and Mandy were in the same classes at a small Christian school through the second grade. It sounds like the picture perfect beginning for their relationship, but they didn’t really like each other much back then. You see, Mandy was invited over to Josh’s house to play one day, and she had more fun playing with his little sister than him. (Oops.) She wasn’t asked over for a second play date after that. And then her family moved away to Pennsylvania, separating the two for the next seven years.

When Mandy’s family moved back to Virginia Beach, Mandy and Josh were now in high school together. She thought he looked like Orlando Bloom (I’d definitely have to agree) and that he was a definite cutie. He thought she was way out of his league. And both thought of the other as nothing more than a friend.

After spending a year carpooling together every day, studying multiple nights a week, hanging out in the same social circles, and going on ski trips and lake trips with classmates, Josh and Mandy became inseparable best friends.

Their transition from best friends to dating was a little more muddled because it happened so gradually. They officially started dating their junior year of high school, but neither can remember their first real date as a couple. Their relationship continued to grow for the rest of high school, and when the two went off to the same university together, they became even more inseparable.

Some of the most treasured moments of their courtship include waking up early to watch sunrises on the dock at Josh’s family’s Lake Gaston house, going to Redskins football games together, swimming across a mile-long jellyfish infested channel (eek!) just to see if it was possible (no thank you), getting crowned homecoming king and queen in high school (aww!), and writing and performing a funny duet at Mandy’s cousin’s rehearsal dinner.

Something very unique and very sweet about Mandy and Josh is the story of their first kiss, which didn’t happen until after Josh had proposed. You see, when Josh was in high school, he had made the decision that he really only wanted to kiss on person in life, his wife. When he first told Mandy about his decision, she thought it was a little unrealistic but wanted to respect his wishes. When it finally came time for the two to share their first kiss, Mandy was super nervous and actually stopped him! But I’m getting a teensy bit ahead of myself…

Mandy and Josh had talked about getting engaged in the fall of 2011. In order to surprise her though, Josh purchased the ring two weeks before Valentine’s Day (which he says is a great time to buy, by the way) and began to put his plan to propose in motion.

He knew he wanted to do it at his parent’s house at Lake Gaston where he believes they fell in love watching the sunrises there together. He thought that since their relationship began while watching the sun rise, that they should get engaged while watching the sun set.

When the day finally came, Josh was so excited he could hardly wait! He and Mandy arrived at the lake house and suggested they go and watch the sunset while waiting for their friends. They sat down on a swing near the lake and he began telling her why the spot was so special to him and how he thought it would be the perfect place to take the next step in their relationship. He then got down on one knee and asked her to be his wife.

The first words out of her mouth? “Is this real life?” He laughed and gently reminded her that she was supposed to say yes or no, at which point she responded, “Yes, of course!”

They hugged tightly and Josh whispered to her that he’d hoped she would want to kiss him. After everything, Mandy was seriously overwhelmed and instead of jumping into his arms, she said, “Um, I don’t know… Maybe some other time. I’m too nervous.” Josh was adamant that they weren’t leaving until she kissed him. Little did she know, that the one and only Katelyn James (also Mandy’s college roommate) was lying in wait… on top of the boathouse obscured by a patio table… to capture the proposal and soon-to-be sweetest first kiss. (I swooned. Katelyn had to contain her squeals, which you can read more about here.)

{Behind the Lens with Katelyn James} My engagement sessions are meant to make the couple feel AT EASE in front of my camera. That is my MAIN priority! I do care about GREAT images, but making them confident and feel beautiful is more important because if you can’t make them feel comfortable, the images will not be stellar! I love learning how they can make each other laugh, if they can really embrace the “model face” and I love getting to know them better. By the time the wedding day comes, they feel like FRIENDS… not clients!

I allow them to be themselves. I explain that I was once in their shoes and I KNOW how intimidating that can be! I allow them to be goofy and mess up and be THEMSELVES. After about 20 minutes, they are all warmed up and ready to go! :) I also praise them CONSTANTLY. No matter what, I encourage them!

Mandy and Josh are amazing. We’ve actually been friends for YEARS so this session was easier than most! I even LIVED with Mandy in college, so I know the two well and adore them. It was easy to get them to be themselves, but there was some pressure on my end to capture AMAZING images of these two model-like people!! I mean, they are just beautiful people, so I had high expectations for their images and they surpassed them! Mandy and Josh have dated for so long that they know how to be comfortable around each other. It was a fun session on a beautiful farm and we had some amazing light to work with! This one will go in the books as a favorite for sure!!

Mine too! And raise your hand if you want Katelyn James hiding out on a boathouse rood capturing our proposal and desperately trying not to squeal? I do! I do! :) Thank you so much, Josh and Mandy (you looked insanely gorgeous, by the way, BOTH of you!), for sharing your love story with us! I couldn’t think of a better one to share on Valentine’s Day! We wish you both so much love, luck and laughter in the years to come! And thank you, Katelyn, for your excited squeals, incredible talent, and for helping us make this Valentine’s Day so very sweet and special!

xoxo