The East Coast Bride

Our next engagement session by Leo Timoshuk Photography is the absolute perfect way to kick off the weekend.Our next couple, Lindsay and Ben are getting married in just a few short days! If this e-session is any indication, their wedding is going to be just beautiful! Be sure to wish them lots of luck and congrats in the comments!

Ben and I had known each other for about a year before we starting dating. We first met in the fall of 2009 at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY as graduate students pursuing our Master’s degree in Social Work.

Over the course of the school year we became friends. Ben was intelligent, funny, and passionate. All in all, I thought Ben was a great guy and the perfect catch for some lucky lady! But at that time not for me (or so I thought).  I tried to set him up with a handful of my friends! He wasn’t interested for one reason or another. While I gave up on my efforts, our dear friend and classmate Rebecca began her own. She assumed the matchmaker role and was determined to get us together. I remember one day when she told me I was going to marry Ben and I said, “No way!”

 

Summer came and went. School was back in full swing in the fall of 2010 and Ben and I found ourselves in every single class together. Rebecca was still hard at work. Before too long, we were smitten. It finally made sense why he wasn’t interested in any of my fabulous friends. In December 2010, Ben and I went on our first date and as they say… the rest is history!  Thank you, Rebecca! 

 

I can’t think of the exact moment when I knew he was the one, but I do know that it wasn’t too long after we starting dating. I remember feeling differently than I ever had in a relationship. It is not a feeling I can put to words, but it was just that “when you know, you know” feeling. Like there was nothing more I could possibly ever want. 

 

Finally, on a random Tuesday night. Ben and I decided to enjoy the gorgeous weather at Rochester’s well-known Lilac Festival. It was a perfect spring evening. After walking through Highland Park admiring the flowers, browsing the vendors, listening to the live music, and grabbing a bite to eat Ben suggested a horse and carriage ride. Although I wasn’t overly excited about it, he pushed for it and so off we went. The experience was a mix of awkward and sweet and romantic.

 

Shortly after climbing aboard, Ben blurted out that he had a surprise for me. I was expecting something silly, but much to my surprise Ben tossed a handmade book on my lap. The first page said, “December 5, 2010″ in Ben’s infamous handwriting. I opened up the card to read the details of our first date complemented with Ben’s humor. As I flipped through, I begin to realize that this book is OUR STORY. It includes important dates and events and reminders of little things that mean so much to who we are & what we love. At this point, I was not sure what was coming next, but it ended and so did our carriage ride.

We walked to the very top of the park with awesome city views and the reservoir. When we finally got to the top, Ben lead me to a private area where we just hung out for a bit (Ben was very quiet at this point). Right before we began to head back to the car, Ben pointed out that I was leaving something behind. When I turned to check out the area, I spotted a ‘page’ of the book on the ground. A bit confused, I turned around and walked over to retrieve it.

It read, “May 15, 2012″ on the front!!!! [I am freaking out inside] So, I opened it up and it read, “Today I decided to make you part of my life forever.” {cue rush of emotions} I immediately turned around to look for my handsome Benjamin and found him on one knee, shaking like a leaf with the most gorgeous ring in hand. Misty-eyed and smiling he said to me… “Lindsay, I love you so much. I want you to be part of my life forever. Will you marry me?” In between hysterical crying, laughing, snotty noses, hugs, kisses, and the best feeling in the world…. I said, “YES” to the man of my dreams!

The one thing I love the most about Benjamin is that he makes me a better person. I can’t think of what more I could possibly need in a life partner. He challenges me, loves me unconditionally, and supports me through the highs and lows of everyday.