Love in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

I grew up in Pennsylvania and like most, drifted beyond the borders of the small town I called home. For years, I chased the feeling of home that Pennsylvania instilled in me, I tried to find it elsewhere yet something just didn’t feel right and moving back to the East Coast fulfilled that chase. This past week, I took a solo trip to New Jersey and Pennsylvania and reconnected with the source of my roots. It was such a beautiful experience going back to visit, to ride around the back roads, to see family and friends and be within the borders of that small town that allowed me to grow into the person I am today.

Along my journey, I met up with a friend from high school who is getting married in July. Facebook is to thank for this connection and I’m beyond STOKED to be apart of his wedding day. We met up in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania which is about 40 minutes west of where I grew up. I had never been there and totally dug this little town. It’s a little itty bitty mining town nestled in the mountains. A lot of history, great narrow streets, train station and there’s even a crazy looking jail that sits right in the center of town. I believe it’s no longer in operation but . . . it was quite the surprise to see.

I met up with Eugene and his fiancee, Dana at a little coffee shop on a rainy Monday evening. Best part, when you haven’t seen someone in so long {like a decade} and you run into each other and discover how their life has unfolded and how awesome it is to see them SO HAPPY! These two are both teachers in the Penn State area and to be honest, I feel they are absolutely perfect for each other. It’s just so awesome to see Eugene in this place in his life and have the opportunity to capture their cozy and sweet relationship.

Eugene and Dana had their first date here and that is why we decided on having their engagement : love session back where it all started. On their first date, they had dinner and just walked up and down the streets until the early morning. It sounds like they left each other that evening knowing they just met their person. RIDICULOUSLY cozy story. Here are some photographs of the two of them, back where it all started . . .