It’s about to happen. Andrew is going to marry the girl who stole his heart and won’t give it back.
They met at an engineer camp at UK. And how about the possibility that out of all the participants at the camp, these two ended up in the same group. They built a cardboard boat together that weekend, and also built the beginnings of their future too. Neither of them told me whether their group won the race at the end of the camp, but I’m pretty sure they both feel like they were winners either way. Abby called her friends and her mom to tell them about this guy she met. “You met him where???” they asked. Fast forward a few years, and Andrew gave her a beautiful ring and asked her to be his forever.
Andrew had Abby’s ring designed at a jewelry shop in Lexington, picked it up, and then didn’t look at it for a month. He was so sick that he had chosen a ring that she would hate. You know, there’s a bit of pressure there, and when we care so much about someone we want everything to be perfect for them. But eventually he found the nerve to get that ring out and propose to Abby. Who knows why we worry about the things we do, but the future Mrs. Roach loves her ring, and even more – she adores the guy who dropped to one knee and gave it to her.
Just like my engagement session on Thursday, we had to determine what Mother Nature was throwing our direction last Friday. Andrew took off work and Abby drove to Lexington from West Virginia. All of us were praying that we didn’t have to reschedule because of both scheduling and the beauty of Bernheim Forest right now. The weather is finicky year round, but when you are trying to time out leaf color, it’s a lucky draw sometimes. And we were lucky. The weather was perfect. We had a mix of light clouds and sun which made for perfect conditions. I was nearly overwhelmed with possibilities. Every direction I looked was perfect, and there was no way to capture it all. (Kudos to whoever suggested this location to Andrew!!) So I had to settle down and get extremely picky about where we spent our time. Of course Andrew and Abby were up for anything, and that made for such a fun afternoon. This session will always be special to me because of the beautiful location, but also because Andrew is my cousin. It’s such a blessing to me when it works out that I can capture this special time for someone I’ve watched grow up into an amazing young man.
Andrew and Abby, you are a beautiful couple, inside and out. I’m so glad you were “lucky” enough to be placed on the same team that day you met, and I know you are too!! Next June may feel an eternity away, but it will be here quickly. Here’s hoping that you enjoy all the festivities and flurry of activity between now and then, because all too quickly, it will just be a precious memory. I’m honored to photograph your wedding, and I can’t wait to see what your future holds. Love and blessings, Pat
