Rachel is the kind of friend you love, admire, and wish you could be more like. I remember the first time I really sat down and had a conversation with her. We were both in college at Texas A&M and were working on a mission trip in Ciudad Juarez with our church. It was getting late at night, but I couldn’t fall asleep. I found Rachel was up, too, practicing (if I remember correctly) her recorder. Somehow we got to talking, and I discovered she not only had a great love for travel and adventure, but also a sincere love for God and a desire to serve others. I also realized Rachel is very honest (of course she’s disagreeing with me as she reads this)–both about her own limitations and shortcomings and others’, too. With Rachel, you don’t have to put up a front.
So it was a few years later that I went to visit her in Washington, D.C. one December as Jay also visited a good friend in the city. At the end of a week of hanging out and seeing sights together, Jay proposed to me at the reflecting pool in front of the capitol on New Year’s Eve. Rachel was the first person to know. You see, my sister was getting married the next week, so Jay and I kept it largely a secret so as not to steal any excitement from my sister’s big day. But Rachel guessed right away from my face….I couldn’t keep it from her.
And now it’s my turn to rejoice with Rachel as she is getting married this August. Although I’m not going to be able to photograph her wedding–I was already booked for her date–I really wanted to be able to meet Papu, her fiance, and give them some sort of gift. So, last week Jay and I drove down to D.C. to photograph their engagement session. I had so much fun getting to hang out with them both, and I couldn’t be more happy for Rachel and Papu–they are both incredible and wise people. Thank you both for being so welcoming!
One of Rachel’s favorite places in D.C. is the National Arboretum (which is also where Papu proposed after a series of scavenger hunt clues and visits to their favorites spots around the capitol). So, we started their engagement session there.
Rachel, you are gorgeous.
Then we went to Union Station for some photos.
I think they are making funny faces at each other here…I love it though!
Rachel is a climber…
After dinner we went back out to some of the more famous sights and monuments around D.C.
And from the archives…one of my favorite photos of Rachel and me from college days. We’re standing proud for an A&M football game. Note: I’m standing on a step above her…Rachel is tall and beautiful. I’m short!
A BIG congratulations, again, Rachel and Papu! Have a wonderful wedding!
by mary
natalie - I love the 3rd photo too! Perfect!!!
John Feguson - Congrats to Rachel!!! We miss you!
(Great pics, Mary),
John & Heather
Randi Voss - I have two favorites from this set. The third photo has perfect symmetry and use of those dramatic lines. I also LOVE the drinking fountain photo–hilarious!
Congratulations Rachel and Papu!
pamela marie - looks like you brought jay around to work the off camera flash! 😉 love it! my favorite might be the running shot- it’s so fun! 🙂
alice - this are so great!! you always capture beautiful faces, places and moments!!