Engagement Session Verona Park Verona NJ
Danielle and Howard’s Engagement Session Verona Park Verona NJ was such a FUN session! I met Danielle and Howard when they inquired with me to do their engagement session. Our original plan was to shoot at Bear Mountain in NY but because of COVID-19 and the regulations of the state park in NY, we were unable to shoot there. So I told Danielle about Verona Park and they were immediately on board with it. When we arrived, Howard told me that he loved it and that there was so much to do there.
Their exact words, after the session was over, was “we had such a great time and we can’t thank you enough for making this so easy for us. We were so nervous about being in front of the camera”
I am so excited to share their story with you all!
HOW THEY MET
Danielle and Howard met online. He was getting ready to give up on the “failed experiment that is online dating.” She thought he had a cute smile so she sent him a message. He saw her profile and decided one more shot. They went back and forth a few times, when it was almost ruined by a message not sending properly. He sent a followup message and they connected the dots that they were both waiting for the other to reply!
Phone numbers were exchanged so the miscommunication couldn’t happen again.
Their first phone call lasted longer than either expected and it finished with a discussion on football. Again, disaster struck, she is an Eagles fan and he is a Cowboys fan. They both said goodbye unsure if they would talk again, this was a big deal! Their second phone call went just as well and the competitive banter for Wentz vs Dak began and continues to this day.
HOW DID YOU FALL IN LOVE?
When I asked them how they fell in love, this is what Danielle told me. “Loving him was cumulative. I loved his smile from day one but I think it really took root when I witnessed his quick and easy kindness around my own father. At the time my dad had moved back from Florida and was living with me because his ailing health limited what he could do. I was impressed that it didn’t intimidate Howard.”
“My heart swelled each time Howard stepped up to the plate with simple tasks like carrying heavy boxes or jumping up to grab a glass of water while I was in the other room. He helped. No hesitations. No avoidance.”
“And it was early in our relationship so he didn’t have to do it, there was no obligation, but he did. His willingness to help and participate, and his “of course, why wouldn’t I help?” attitude meant the world to me at the moment. In the years since, I’ve witnessed it in how he treats his mom, his family, his nieces, and nephews, and how it extends to my own family. He loves through action and I love him more for it.”
When I asked Howard the same question, this is what he said. “I knew I could trust her. She made our relationship about “us as a team”, not just one person over the other and it felt like having a partner. Every day was easy, and comfortable in a loving way. I knew I didn’t want anything to change so when she asked, I had to say yes. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.”
HOW DID SHE PROPOSE?
She proposed to him at home in the morning with the sun coming through the windows. She had never said I love you. It started as waiting for the right time. Then became slightly superstitious to avoid “ruining” it. Ultimately it became three years of finding new loving ways to say it without saying it.
When proposing, it went like this:
Hands shaking and sweating, she said “I love you.”
Shocked, he said, “You said it!”
“I did because I love you”
“You said it again!”
She pulled out a small box and start to open it.
“What is happening right now?”
“Howard, this is me asking you to marry me because I love you.” Holding a ring out for him to see. “Will you marry me?”
“Wow, yes, ok.”
She began to cry happy tears and lots of hugs ensued.
“No one really acknowledges how terrifying asking that question is. You think you know the answer but until you hear it, it’s like the whole world is holding its breath until it finally exhales with his answer. Kudos to every man (or woman) that has asked that question. It is terrifying and wonderful and I’m so glad he said yes.”
Danielle proposed to Howard in February 2020
WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT FOR YOUR WEDDING?!
“We are excited to have the people we love to come to us, from all across the country, and to be in one place to celebrate with us”
YOUR LOVE STORY IS MADE INTO A MOVIE, WHAT DO YOU TITLE IT?!
“Ok, what’s next?”
DESCRIBE YOUR RELATIONSHIP IN 5 WORDS
“Competitive, Playful, Caring, Affectionate, Supportive”
WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT MEANS THE BOTH TO YOU?!
Family is extremely important to both of us. We are so lucky for our siblings and their families, especially our nieces and nephews. Time together, Traveling & Sports”
VENDORS
Her Ring – Moissaniteco.com
His Ring – Etsy.com via Aydins Jewelry
Her Dress – Azalosie Wrap Dress via Amazon
If you engaged or if you know anyone who is engaged and is looking for an Engagement Photographer Verona Park Verona NJ or a Wedding Photographer, please CONTACT ME.