While Naseem and Matthew currently reside in Texas, Matthew’s parents live in Waterford Pennsylvania. Traveling back there (about 2 hours from Pittsburgh, just outside of Erie) was kind of like traveling back in time for me. Growing up, my parents owned a large art gallery in the heart of town. I passed by the building on my way to our session and was surprised to see it’s now a popular (and, according to Matthew’s family, very good) restaurant.

Just a few minutes after the old gallery, I pulled up to Matthew’s parent’s home where I was greeted by firm handshakes and warm smiles. Their house was big, beautiful and full of loving faces. Fifteen loving faces to be exact.

I spent two hours with Naseem and Matthew, documenting the soft smiles and secret laughs they exchanged. They dodged poison ivy together, roasted marshmallows and kissed under a ceiling of ivy.

I cannot wait to witness these two wonderful people marry later this year back in Erie Pennsylvania.