Nature Lovers, Engagement Session at Rust Nature Sanctuary, Leesburg VA ~ Jewel & Paul

They are always exploring new places, traveling and learning new things. They are very curious and adventurous and they share the same love for nature. Paul proposed to Jewel on the sunset of Sombrero Beach, Florida. Now, they chose the Rust Nature Sanctuary for their engagement session.

They surround themselves by nature and let the seed of love grows every day more and more. We are so happy with the result of this engagement session. It is so inspiring to look at this couple who share the same outlook on life and bring a peaceful and harmonious energy.

Check out their engagement session followed by their lovely interview. Let love blossom!

How did you meet?

We met during a summer science research internship when we were undergraduates. All of the interns lived in cabins at the New Jersey School of Conservation in Stokes State Forest. We bonded over a mutual love of trees and that we can both identify many tree species.

Can you explain to us what you do for a living, and why you decided to include nature props on your session? How does that relate to you and your love story?

We both work in the environmental field. We’re both passionate about nature and enjoy lots of outdoor activities together. Our love started with and has been nurtured by the natural world, so we wanted to incorporate some of those natural elements into the photo session. We used the Sibley field guides in our photos because we use these to identify trees and birds out in the field together.

Where did you go for your first date?

We went to the Dallas Arboretum Pumpkin Village. Paul was living in New Jersey and I was living in Dallas. He flew to Dallas just for the weekend to see the pumpkins with me.

How did he/she propose? Can you describe that moment?

We were on vacation together in the Florida Keys. Paul insisted that we go to Sombrero Beach for sunset so that he could take photographs with his new camera lens. I sat on a large rock by the water, looking at the sunset. Paul set the timer so that he could take a photo of both of us. When he sat with me on the rock, he took out of his pocket a piece of paper that he’d written a poem about our relationship. During the last lines of the poem, he took out the ring from his pocket and asked me to marry him!

What are some common hobbies/interests that the two of you share?

We are both naturalists at heart, so we enjoy many outdoor activities like bird watching, canoeing, and hiking. We work in environmental science. Paul is a stormwater management engineer and Jewel is a salt marsh ecologist (see her blog jeweltheecologist.weebly.com). We both love music and have eclectic musical tastes that we like to share and discuss. Paul likes to cook food and Jewel likes to eat the food he cooks. We are both very curious and adventurous, so anytime we can travel somewhere new and learn something new together, we are happy.

Are you planning to honeymoon? If yes, where do you have plans to go to?

Yes! We’d like to make plans to go to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor, Maine. Neither of us has ever visited Maine. It seems like a beautiful place where we can connect with nature and connect with each other.

How do you imagine yourselves as a couple from now to 5 years?

Still in love, still adventurous, with thousands of more photos from many more adventures! We will travel to new places. We will also be more successful in our careers. Paul will get his engineering license, and Jewel will finish her Ph.D. in Biology.

Describe something that you absolutely love about your fiance

Paul: I love Jewel’s adventurous spirit.

Jewel: I love Paul’s cheerful energy because life is so much more fun with him as my partner. He says that “life is a team sport” and that always makes me feel happier.

Any special song?

Mirrors by Justin Timberlake was one of the songs of the summer in 2013, the summer we met. It has been on our playlists ever since. We especially love the song’s intro.