tessa + marshall | codorus state park sunset engagement

Get ready to read the sweetest thing you’ve read in a long time: “I sent her puppy videos every other day because I wanted to make sure she smiled at least once that day.”

I have to say, I don’t think I’ve ever watched 2 people laugh and snuggle so much during an engagement session… Tessa and Marshall, you both are an absolute joy to be around and I love how you make ordinary adventures into extraordinary experiences. Your energy, fun-loving nature and chemistry together is so refreshing!

While trying to choose the perfect location for their engagement session, we considered a few parks and outdoor locations with beautiful views. I’d never been to Codorus State Park before and OHMYGOSH is it gorgeous, serene and so picturesque. Tessa’s breathtaking red curly hair was also literally glowing as the sun was setting, making this a romantic and playful engagement session I’ll never forget. It was all over when we ended with a dip in the lake…

Here’s their how-we-met story, in Marshall’s words:

“Well, the first time we "met" Tessa didn't remember me. She thought I was a freshman, but that she had seen me around before. I actually saw her my first week at school at a distance and said to myself 'Wow, if I was going to try and marry any girl at this school, that one right there would probably be the one.' Anyways, she was going through her Athletic Training course at school and I had hurt myself during wrestling practice, so I needed to get my ankle taped. I really only needed to get it taped for about a week after hurting it, but I had a crush on Tessa, so I continued to go back to get my ankle taped for about two months. We talked while she was taping my ankle and started hanging out during our free time. We had very similar tastes in movies and books, so we had a number of things to talk about during our time together. We were just friends for about three years and became extremely close. Then we dated for about a month her senior year, but broke up because of the uncertainties of life after college. We still kept in contact. I sent her puppy videos every other day because I wanted to make sure she smiled at least once that day. She eventually went on a trip with her family to Germany and while she was over there we talked for hours. We knew this time was going to be different from the last, so when she got back from Germany, I was there nearly 24 hours afterwards (by invitation of course). We've been together ever since.”

And in Marshall’s words, the proposal…

“So we went out Latin dancing/salsa dancing at the end of April (the same day of my parents anniversary funnily enough). We had a great time and it was the first nice, warm night in ages, so I suggested we go down to the lake near her house to take a walk on the beach. I had the ring in my bag, so when we parked the car I said I had to go back and grab my jacket because it was colder than I expected, when in actuality, I was grabbing the ring. I had it inside of a bulky watch box so she wouldn't become suspicious. We started heading down to the beach and she knew something was up. Tessa kept asking, "What's going on? Why are you smiling like that? What are you planning?" (Tessa- He was acting extremely suspicious). I could barely hold my composure together. We starting hugging, but I was trying to get the ring out of the box. I couldn't get the stupid lid off. I eventually did and proposed and we spent the next hour comprehending what just happened.”

T+M, you two are an incredible force together and we can not wait for your waterfront wedding in June at The Anchor Inn!!

xo,
Naomi