They met Amanda’s very first day of residency at Johns Hopkins, and this beautiful, intelligent and compassionate woman quickly found a place in Mark’s heart. After dating for some time, Amanda’s work took her south to North Carolina, but the distance only strengthened their bond as they became even more intentional in their relationship even while hundreds of miles apart.

Knowing Amanda was the woman Mark wanted to spend the rest of his life with, he made plans with Amanda’s roommate, Anna, to fly down to North Carolina and surprise Amanda. And so Anna, like any friend would, crafted the perfect little white lie: she told Amanda a friend of theirs was coming into town for job interviews and needed a place to stay. She wisely picked a friend whom Amanda was excited to see, but not quite close enough to call in advance. The prospect of a guest to entertain also meant their apartment was spotless and Amanda was dressed up for a night out when they pulled up at the airport… to find Mark standing there. ;) Ironically, Amanda had literally texted him as they left home, totally clueless of who REALLY awaited her… “Headed to the airport to pick up a friend… wish I was picking you up!” He whisked Amanda off to a beautiful spa resort near Raleigh and after a sweet, relaxed evening of catching up over wine, he simply sat down beside Amanda, pulled out a gorgeous ring he and Amanda’s little sister had been designing for months, and asked her to marry him.

Mark & Amanda, what a privilege to meet and photograph you guys on the beaches of California!! I loved our morning together photographing and chatting with the beach entirely to ourselves, and can’t WAIT for your incredible Mt. Washington Mill Dye House Wedding in a few short weeks! In the meantime, enjoy these images from your engagement session! Xo