On my Six Foot Photography Facebook page, I have been running a contest for a lucky couple to win a free engagement session from me. After all the votes were cast and I tallied up all of the “Likes” and “Shares” I now have a winner. Congratulations to Erin and Robert who won this contest! Below is their love story and the picture they submitted in order to be in the contest! Cannot wait to set up our engagement shoot!
Robert and I met during my Sophomore (his Junior) year of high school. Though we went to the same school in Concord, NC, we did not meet until we were introduced by a mutual friend in Myrtle Beach, SC. Once we met, we were inseparable! We went on a few dates, got to know each other’s families, and talked on the phone every night. About 2 months after we met, Robert asked me to be his girlfriend and, regretfully, I said no… I had just gotten out of a relationship with one of his friends, and still needed to close that page of my life. Thankfully, Robert was persistent and asked me out again a few weeks later. This time, ecstatically, I said YES!
Dating in high school was fun; we saw each other every day, and I got to cheer him on as he played soccer. Then came high school graduation: Robert first, then I, a year later. The first year, while Robert was at UNCC, was not too difficult. He was only about 30 minutes away so I got to see him once a week, or so. Then I moved to Chapel Hill to go to school. We were now 2 1/2 hours apart, both with busy schedules. Robert was playing college soccer and I was trying to balance 2 jobs and a full course load. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”… right? This is what we had to keep telling ourselves for the 4 years we spent apart. When we were lucky, we would see each other once, maybe twice, a month. We spent countless hours on the phone, wishing we were closer and talking about all the fun dates we would go on when we finally lived in the same city again. Being in a long-distance relationship taught us so much about effective communication, loyalty, and commitment. A lot changed in the 4 years we spent apart: we made friends, we both lost dear family members, we cried, we laughed, we graduated, Robert got a job, and I got in to grad school. Our love for each other was the one thing that never changed. Our love is what got us through all of the ups and the downs. It is what pushed us to keep working at our relationship, even when we knew it might be easier to give up. And it was worth it!
This May, I graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and moved to Charleston, SC the next day to begin Occupational Therapy School at MUSC. Robert was so supportive of my move, even though it meant we would still not be living in the same city. He knew how much this opportunity meant to me and encouraged me to follow my dreams. Not long after my move, Robert found a job and moved to Charleston too! I was ecstatic! On October 12, 2013, he asked me to be his wife and, without hesitation, I said YES! I cannot imagine my life without my best friend, my partner in crime, and my other half. Without a doubt, I can say that I love Robert today more than I ever have. And I know I will love him even more tomorrow! I cannot wait to officially start my life with him on December 19, 2014!
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