Getting to catch up with a friend and explore a beautiful, historic city… all for work purposes!? Sign me up! My first time to Boston, Massachusetts was a smashing success! From walking 6 miles my first day there (apparently Boston is the 3rd most walkable city in the USA!) to a gorgeous sunny evening in what felt like Central park… to some of the best food (lobster rolls and Jewish delis!)… this trip has me wanting more. But before I can plan my return, I want to share the real reason behind this trip: Ada + James’ engagement photos!

The meeting of Ada and James can only be explained as “providence.” It happened one summer, when Ada was working in an administrative job at a church camp outside of Ames, Iowa. She and her father decided to run the first ever 5k (hosted by the camp) together. After the run, the pair wandered over to check out the new rock climbing wall, and Ada remembers a guy she did not know (which she found surprising) made some small talk with her. One thing to note: they didn’t even exchange names!!

Well, James’ side of the story remains that he went to talk to Ada for an “unexplainable reason”… and that he did some sleuthing that evening on the car ride to the MPLS airport, added Ada on Facebook, and when he checked his notifications upon arriving home in Massachusetts, found she had accepted his request! They began to chat back and forth, Ada visited the Northeast in her spare time… and not so far into the future these two were an item.

Once they realized that this was a serious relationship, Ada moved out to the Boston area and accepted a job, allowing her to spend more time with James and his family. (It didn’t work out for me to meet them during the trip but I can’t wait for August!) And, finally, James proposed last summer during a hike in the White Mountains. These two are planning a late summer wedding for 2021, and it’s going to be so special for a plethora of reasons!

I’m so grateful we had a gorgeous evening of sunshine to work with! The Boston Public Gardens are pretty in both rain and sun, but that golden hour light just can’t be bought!!!!

Ada, thanks so much for hosting me and showing me around your new part of the country! James, I’m so glad we got to reconnect and bond over history & oysters. I’m looking forward to celebrating your marriage in August!