Haley and JT’s Sausalito engagement session was quite a dream come true for me. I have always wanted to shoot in this city near the sailboats and that is just what we did for this session. I shot a little bit of everything for them: city, sea, and boats. I had so much fun exploring the city with these two and hearing all about their love story. Here is their love story told by Haley below.

“After talking for a couple of weeks, JT and I decided to meet for dinner on a cold January evening. I had no idea I would be meeting my husband for the first time that night, but I am so glad that I did. As I got dressed for the date, I put on my favorite wrap top and threw my hair in a braid that looked laid back and effortless —even though it took me 20 minutes to get right. JT and I were both the awkward kids growing up, the shy ones on dates and the nervous people that spilled out words like a toddler spills out milk when put in romantic encounters, but that night we were not. We met at Sea Thai Noodle Bar that evening and from that moment on being together was easy. We talked about our passions, family and awkward yoga encounters we’ve experienced and laughter the entire time. We sat and shared our plates of curry and pad thai like we were old friends.

I was not convinced though. He was nice, but I loved my life. I loved being single and meeting new people and going out with new friends, but there was something about him that made me curious each time. He is a soil scientist and I had never met someone in that profession before. I had never met someone so nerdy, yet so cool and handsome and so fun to be around.

Our fifth date is when I knew I wanted to spend significant time with him. He took me out to coffee at a cute shop in Healdsburg before taking me wine tasting at Kokomo. Not sure how he knew I loved reds, but he chose correctly. We spent the afternoon talking to the gal pouring our wine about JT’s soil work in the wine industry and what it’s like to be a consultant and also about my business, Atonement Design— an online boutique that sells ethically made and cause-based products as well as the jewelry I create. After wine tasting, he took me to Diavola for dinner. We had prime rib and french fries, he’s a man after my own heart. That night was the turning point in our relationship. There we talked about faith and the deeper parts of our souls. We talked about the hurts we’ve experienced as well as the higher moments that have formed us so well. That night I started to love him.

As our journey continued, we faced some of the hardest moments of our lives with one another as well as moments that brought us so close together. In the first three months, I knew he was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.

JT has changed my life. He inspires me to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be while also leading me to be the absolute weirdest. He is so steady and so passionate, so kind and so strong, so creative and so hard working. He is someone that I aspire to be more like.

He is more than I ever hoped for in a partner and a best friend. I am so honored that The Lord provided this amazing man to walk through life with me and cannot believe that I have been given such a blessing. He is truly my match made in heaven.” -Haley 

Haleys clothing and jewelry store website: Atonement Design