Caitlin and Sam | McConnells Mill Engagement

We simply loved getting to know Caitlin and Sam during their engagement session!   They are fun loving, down to earth, and all around a genuine and loving pair. This couple loves to enjoy a glass of wine, a good book, and being in nature.  Which is exactly why we chose McConnells Mill State Park as the backdrop for their engagement session.  Take a look at the images below, and keep scrolling to learn more about them in the Q&A section!

Q: Tell us how you met!
A: Sam and I met on my very first day of work.  Our boss wanted Sam to show me the ropes and be a mentor to me.  Shortly thereafter, Sam was transferred to another location.  When he returned 18 months later, I took the position he just left, so we swapped places.  Two years later, I returned and started dating!

Q: When and what was your first date?
A: Our first date was January 19, 2013. We went to a beautiful restaurant in Pittsburgh with live music and had a delicious dinner. Afterwards, Sam took me over to a piano bar. We sat at the bar and laughed all evening. I remember leaning in towards Sam to try and get closer, hoping he would put his arm around me. He told me later he thought I was just trying to get further away from the man on the other side of me!

Q: How did you know that he/she was the one?
A: It’s funny, but it happened for both of us on the same night. It was the first time Sam & my son, Owen, had met and we were all lying on the living room floor playing with cars and trains. Sam said he fell in love watching us play together, seeing the amount of love I had for my son in just that little moment. He realized he didn’t just want a family, he wanted this one. I realized Sam was the one just a few minutes later. I got up to go make dinner for everyone in the kitchen. When I came back into the living room, Sam & Owen had built a dance floor out of foam puzzle pieces and were having an impromptu dance party. I immediately joined in and that’s when it hit me. I had left that room looking back at 2 boys I cared very much about and when I returned I saw my family and my future- full of love and laughter. That was an amazing night.

Q: What was the date of the proposal?  Give us the details!
A: Sam proposed to me on June 20, 2014.  We like to have date nights fairly often, so Sam told me he had made reservations for date night this time, but he wouldn’t tell me where. Sam took me to Willow down by Camp Horne Road for dinner. We had nearly the entire upstairs to ourselves and it overlooked the wooded area behind the restaurant.  After dinner, Sam took me to Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. I was already excited because I had wanted to tour Phipps for over a year. We took our time walking through each section and at the end, we decided to go back to our favorite spot. We were on a wooden overlook and that’s when Sam took me by the shoulders, turned me to face him, and got down on one knee. He gave the most romantic and thoughtful speech I have ever heard before asking if I would marry him. I replied with “Yes, yes, of course!” We headed back to Willow for a celebratory cocktail before sharing our news with family and friends.

Q: What do you like most about Sam?
A: Sam is a very kind-hearted person. He is wonderfully supportive and always puts our family first. It elates me to be able to look at Sam and see how much he loves me; it brings me such a feeling of peace and comfort.

Q: Sam, what do you like most about Caitlin?
A: I love how caring and loving Caitlin is. I love the fact that her favorite place is with me and that she loves spending time together, no matter what we’re doing.

Wedding Date: August 15, 2015
Ceremony and Reception Location: Rustic Acres Farm