They couldn’t have more different backgrounds. Imani growing up in New Jersey, majoring in French and early childhood education, then pursuing her Masters degree and heading off to live in France for two years. And Pernell from Maryland with his degree in criminology from Florida State and 5 years of experience in the Army including 1 year in Afghanistan. Though Pernell dreams of being a scriptwriter, and Imani used to be an actress, their paths did not physically cross. So it was only in their last years of school that fate brought them together online, and they spent their first 6 years together in a long-distance relationship. And one fine morning, eight years after Imani and Pernell first met, Pernell took a drive up to New Jersey. He had to leave home early in the day in order to make it back to Rockville that same afternoon in time to pick Imani up from the elementary school where she teaches French. Arriving in New Jersey, he headed to Imani’s childhood home where he asked her parents for her hand in marriage. He then headed straight to Imani’s school, emerging from the car with her childhood teddybear in hand, ribbons tied around it, a sparkling diamond engagement ring dangling from the end. And as he spoke to Imani, she heard not a word he said except “wife.”

Ten days after the proposal, Imani and I were already talking through different ideas for their engagement photography session, finally settling on a dusk/nighttime engagement photography session on the Annapolis, Maryland waterfront. What a beautiful couple…congratulations to Imani & Pernell, wedding date 2014!