Phillips Farm, New Jersey | Anniversary Session, Christina & Erik
After just over a year of marriage, these two kids could not be anymore in love than the day they started dating. They strongly believe that dating your spouse is key to a successful marriage and they strive to live each day with that in mind. They love going on these special dates and adventures together so being able to watch their love during this awesome experience at the apple orchard was so much fun. Plus, we walked away with some delicious apples of all types! Even a couple of pumpkins :) It was such a quiet, beautiful, late afternoon at the farm and we were all alone and free to explore. I asked Christina about their story… of how they met, became best friends, fell for each other and got married. She put such great detail into it, that I thought I would share it just how it was expressed to me. This is their story:
Erik and Christina met in college during their freshman year. They were introduced over dinner in the dining hall by a mutual friend. They very quickly became friends and soon enough became inseparable. During their years in college Erik formed a little puppy crush on Christina and everyone knew it. Except Christina. Only seeing more like a brother she friend zoned him. Hardcore.
Most of their time was spent together in the school library, on adventures in Lancaster City, or during campus activities. As the years passed the reality of them graduating began to sank in. Erik graduated in 2012 and he felt that with his moving back to NJ there was no point in pursuing Christina anymore, they're paths were going in different places. After Erik graduated the two still remained in touch and Erik would even come out to visit. Finally, during Christina's senior year in college she made the plan to visit him in NJ. It was during that trip Christina began to feel differently about Erik. After she returned back to PA she consulted her other very good friend, Dan, who was also Erik's college roommate and the third member of their little musketeer group. Dan, worried for Erik's feelings because he knew how much Erik pined over Christina told her to take some time and think about it. Well, Christina, taking his advice seriously, hung up with Dan and immediately called Erik and asked him out! So much for taking time to think about it.
Not on purpose, but of course the day all of this transpired was April Fool's Day so when Erik and Christina's relationship status changed on Facebook it certainly sent a frenzy amongst their friends. Once people realized it was not a joke their friends and family could not be happier. FINALLY!
Erik and Christina's new relationship was separated by a state line and four to five hours of driving. About two weekends a month they would share driving out and seeing one another. By the point of their dating status they had known each other for five and a half years so they both knew the direction that they were headed, marriage. After eight a half months of dating Erik proposed to Christina with a beautiful custom made ring. Erik planned it while they were visiting the National Christmas Center in Paradise, PA and even got Santa in on the surprise!
Nine months later they were married and started their life together in NJ.