When she first told me Yosemite, I crossed my fingers as I replied ‘yes!’ knowing that many factors had to line up for it to actually happen. I’ve never had gone to Yosemite. I heard that it was full of my favorite things. The lush green pastures lined the road for days, the sunset over the domes was almost as if God himself lowered the sun to make room for the stars to shine. I envisioned it, their engagement session. Michelle and Erdvin, two adventurous souls, head over heels for each other.

They had met years ago. They were both in different places in their lives. Although, time caught up with them and they crossed paths a few times after that. It was as if the greater universe paired them together. Both being wildly passionate for travel and outdoors and friends, Erdvin, naturally proposed and she accepted. The ring, one of the most precious stories, was his mother’s. Michelle proudly wears it and in her memory.

We met at the majestic Yosemite Valley with somehow no signal. It was probably about a decade and a few years since we last met, but we picked up right where we left off. At times, I almost lost track of time, but Victor and I were enamored with their travel stories and the craft beer festivals they’ve tallied up. Michelle’s smile was contagious and Erdvin’s affectionate pauses inevitably spontaneous. Truthfully, we could’ve traveled anywhere else to photograph the two. We could’ve been to Rome, Mexico or anywhere else, but the two of them together painted this session magical. The domes towered over them, and the trees looked down, but ultimately they were the star attraction. Their heart for friends and each other made Victor, and I feel right at home.

Michelle and Erdvin, again, thank you for taking us on a part of your adventure. I call it an adventure, because I have a feeling that whatever comes your way and whatever you encounter, you two make the best of it. You inspire us to look beyond and to connect. We are so privileged to have gone all the way to Yosemite and back with such devoted wholehearted beings. Thank you.

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