And the winners are...

...That's right! It's time for me to announce the winners of the free engagement session! First off, let me wish everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day! It was way too hard for me to judge these on my own, so when my hubby and I got home from our V-day date, he went through all of the entries with me to pick the winners!

We had a lot of fun reading through your stories. We got to read stories of heartache turned to love, long distance romances enduring the tests of time, devoted parents, and a story of love lasting through some very difficult times which brought tears to my eyes. A lot of the stories were very personal, so I chose not to include them in full. I've summarized them below :)

There were 8 entries total, and we both agreed that everyone who entered should win something! Which means there are multiple winners in each category aside from the grand prize. Oh...and did I mention I've increased the prize values? Because I did! Which brings me to what you've been waiting for...

The Grand Prize, a 2 hour long engagement session goes to....
Kevin and Jennifer!!
These two had quite the story (the one that left me in tears). When my husband read it, he immediately handed it over and said "We have a winner!" These two were engaged on February 7th after knowing one another for 11 years! They have been through a lot over the past few years, but their strength both individually and as a couple has pulled them through. They have a ton of awesome hobbies that include hiking and sword fighting! Maybe they'll show me a few moves when we shoot?

First prize...which has been increased to a $125 gift certificate good toward an engagement session...goes to...
Amy and Jason
and
Janelly and Rolando!!
Amy and Jason are another recently engaged couple! These two spent 4 1/2 years commuting to each other between Boston and New York. One time Amy got stuck on a bus for two hours...NEXT TO Jason's apartment!! (The bus driver wouldn't let her off!) Her email to me outlined just how dedicated they are to one another throughout uncertainties (and those fun, silly and sometimes scary bus rides). The challenges they faced were nothing compared to their love for one another!

Janelly and Rolando are another couple who endured a long distance love...between Queens, NY and the Dominican Republic! Since they were 11!!! These two were nominated by their thoughtful coworker, Lisa (don't forget to thank her!). Lisa told me a story of how the relationship between Janelly and Rolando survived because of much dedication. They would write each other letters during the school year (all of which Janelly still has!), and Janelly would visit Rolando every summer. Janelly went for a visit over Christmas of 2007, when Rolando got down on one knee to propose! Last summer he packed his bags and movd to NYC to be with his childhood sweetheart! And they say long distance romances don't work? HA!

Second prize (increased to a $100 gift certificate toward an engagement session) goes to...

Shaquia and Peter,
Rashida and Vaughn,
and
Janice and Edward!!

Shaquia and Peter met at her son's school. It took 3 months to ask her on a date (after what sounds like some serious flirting!), where he took her out dancing all night! As she puts it "the man that sweeps me off my feet is my man"! After dating a while, they merged their two familys (they have two boys, who are now the best of friends!) moving to a town they love, and it has been all about the kids ever since! They both work hard both at their jobs and helping their sons with math (no easy task!) and are always on the run.

Rashida and Vaughn...happy 5 year anniversary (it's today)! These two are busy being parents to 1 year old twins while planning a 2010 wedding! They're hoping to enjoy some alone time to enjoy each other's company and create some lasting memories with their engagement session.

Janice and Edward met quite by chance through their friends (and coworkers) in June of 2006, when Janice's coworker invited her to dinner with her husband, where they ran into his coworkers (one being Edward). Edward tells Janice that he was in love as soon as he saw her smile! They hit a slight bump, but made it through...soon after, they took their friends out to dinner to thank them for their role in Janice and Edward's relationship. They went back to the same restaurant and even sat at the same table...where Edward proposed! Janice wrote that reading over her email made her realize just how lucky she is, and how she can't wait to be Edward's wife! (She also sent me pictures of her gorgeous bling!)

Finally, third prize (which is now a $75 gift certificate) goes to...

Cindy and John
and
Jennifer and Maximo!!

Cindy and John are college sweethearts. While it wasn't love at first sight, they started chatting online while working as teaching assistants. Cindy realized her feelings for John when he went to visit his family in China for three weeks. She confessed when he returned, and he revealed that he felt the same! The rest was history!

Jennifer and Maximo have been together for 9 years and have 3 children! Sadly, Jennifer's grandmother passed right before Christmas of 2007, but had expressed her desire for them to get married several times beforehand. Max proposed soon after and they set a date! They spend every day together, and Jennifer tells me that Max is an amazing dad to their children and also works hard to keep her smiling.

Congrats to all of the couples! I can't wait to work with you! Your gift certificates will be in the mail soon, but please contact me at any time to set up your session!

How's that for Valentine's Day romance? I hope you all had a great day, and that everyone reading enjoys these stories of love!

For more love...check out my next blog with yesterday's Friday the 13th wedding (my first wedding of 2009!)

Another blog will be posted tomorrow ;)