Location | Marlborough, NH
Erin & Josh’s engagement session fell on a beautiful fall day. We spent the session exploring an old farm in Marlborough, NH finding numerous locations for photos — there was an old, abandoned silo in the woods which was definitely an interesting backdrop.
We are all super excited for their upcoming wedding next April, at Stonewall Farm in Keene, NH. Now let’s get into the photos and how their love story came to be!
I hope you enjoy Erin and Josh’s engagement session!
How long have you been together?
We first met in March of 2011 when I was finishing my second year of law school in Concord, NH and Josh was working as a PC Specialist for Frisbee Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NH.
Tell us how you first met.
Erin: We met on a blind date! I was completely focused on my career and succeeding in law school such that I had no interest in “distractions” like romantic relationships. Luckily, one of my classmates and good friend, Kacie, kept on encouraging me to consider meeting her husband’s friend, Josh. Kacie kept telling me that there was more to life than law school and that this guy, Josh, was simply perfect for her. Finally, I caved and told Kacie to give Josh her contact information. The very next morning when I got into class and opened my computer, a message popped up in my email. And sure enough, the message was from Josh! It wasn’t long before Josh and I began “courting” in-between my class schedule and Josh’s work schedule. However, after the school semester ended, I travelled down to Tampa, Florida to visit my twin sister. While I was gone, I talked to Josh almost daily over the telephone. One evening late at night, I was talking with Josh and all of a sudden he said, “I miss you so much. Will you be my girlfriend?” With a smile, I said, “Yes.” And ever since, we have been on an amazing journey together.
Josh: Before Erin, I felt like my life was stuck in the current, pulled downstream and I faced everything head on. I came through on top of a lot of challenges, and sometimes not so much. Meeting Erin felt like finding a raft that was heading in the same direction. However, instead of just letting me float by, Erin reached out her paddle and pulled me in. Erin taught me about life jackets, how to stay afloat and navigate the rapids. Then, instead of just teaching me and letting me go, Erin invited me into her raft to stay along for the journey. The current changes from calm to crazy but it doesn’t matter because now we have two paddles and we navigate the river together.
When did you get engaged?
November 13, 2014
Tell us about the proposal.
On Thursday November 13th, 2014, Josh asked Erin to marry him and she said yes! The story is long but for those who enjoy the little details, here it is:
Working along with his mom and grandmother, Josh spent awhile looking for “the ring”. They lucked out and found the perfect ring after months of searching. Josh was trying to come up with some special way to propose and he decided he wanted to pick a local restaurant (somewhere special). He spoke with a couple of the women he works with and they agreed that Nicola’s Trattoria here in Keene, NH would be perfect. One of his co-workers told Josh that her friend Cheryl (who happens to be Erin’s boss’ wife) is best friends with Nicola, the owner of Nicola’s Trattoria. Cheryl called Josh, and without ever meeting him, offered to help in any way possible. So, they went to work brewing up a night to remember. Josh’s job was to keep Erin from figuring out what was going on. At the beginning of the week, Josh brewed up a story that his boss, Steve, wanted Erin and him to go to a business dinner at Nicola’s Trattoria for a customer meeting. Josh told Erin that Steve wanted him to talk to the customer about their management software and what they can provide for services. Erin bought it, hook, line, and sinker! Thursday rolls around and they met at home to get changed for a nice business dinner. Josh talked her into wearing her nice black dress. They then drove to Nicola’s Trattoria and when they got there, Josh pretended to get a text message from Steve telling him that they were running late but that the reservation was in Josh’s name and to pick a bottle of wine. Josh and Erin were seated at a table that sits with a perfect view of the kitchen, you can actually watch Nicola cook and prepare all of the foods from this table. The waitress came over (Nicola’s daughter) and Josh asked Erin to pick a wine (this is the “undercover” queue for Nicola to bring out the ring). The wine shows up, and they were given a tasting. As Josh picks up the glass, Nicola walks around the corner from the kitchen, with a black velvet box on a white plate. And Cheryl had taken the extra step and also picked up a glass cover for the plate (Erin describes it as the same glass cover the rose is under in Beauty and the Beast). Nicola walked over to the table and told Erin, “Here at Nicola’s we give special gifts to special guests” and he placed the plate in front of Erin and took a step back. At this point Erin was beyond confused, and her face was priceless. Josh removed the glass cover and placed the velvet box in her hand. Erin opened it and found the ring inside. While she stared at the ring, Josh removed it from the box, slipped out of his seat onto his knee in the middle of the restaurant, took her hand in his and asked, “Erin Shea Meenan, will you be my wife.” She yelled “YES!” and Josh slipped the ring on her finger. After Josh sat back down, the table behind them began to clap and Erin looked at the ring, looked at Josh beaming and then got real serious and asked “So, Steve isn’t coming?” At this point Josh let her in on the plan and explained who helped. The night was picture perfect and the food was amazing! And now they have the perfect place for their anniversaries!
I hope you enjoyed this picture perfect love story of these two amazing people :) I hope you check out their wedding photography at Stonewall Farm in Keene, NH.
