Sydney and Mike are hands down the cutest couple ever, along with their adorable fur babies (Tierney and Daphne) this session was total cuteness overload! The talented Jordan DeNike photographed these amazing couple portraits that have us falling in love with Philly all over again. Washington Square Park is one of my favorite parks in the city, and it’s certainly a unique location for photo sessions. Add in perfect Spring weather, blooming Cherry Blossoms, never-ending smiles and you’ve got a recipe for a perfect day in Philadelphia. Sydney and Mike are the true definition of Philadelphia love, their effervescent charm and epic tale of friendship will certainly put a smile on your face!
From Sydney: “We went to Washington Square Park where the cherry blossoms were blooming perfectly! Jordan really wanted to capture the blossoms while she was in town. We also wandered around side streets near the park and little alleyways- and it all worked perfectly, with some gorgeous weather helping us out as well! Our 2 pups also got to be a part of the shoot which was exciting for all of us.”
“Michael and I met at the beginning of college. I completed my 5 year Masters program in Speech Pathology at Marywood in Scranton, where Mike is from. Growing up outside of Philadelphia, always with a busy agenda, something to do and somewhere to be, Scranton was a completely different world for me. I was used to having so much at my fingertips in the city, whereas Scranton is a pretty low key, routine oriented environment. I missed the fast paced city life during my time in Scranton, but definitely made the most of my experience, finding my “spots” ranging from coffee shops to libraries to bars, and meeting a lot of my best friends through college- one of the best being Mike. We had been good friends for a while, and as I was nearing the end of my graduate program, we kept running into each other constantly (as Scranton is the smallest of places) and got a lot closer as friends.”
“One summer night at the bar, he asked if we could go running together, as he knew running had become part of my “routine” in the ever-exciting Scranton. Of course I agreed. So the next day he held me to my promise, called me up, and we went on a run through the town. That day was the start of our “run dates”, as I like to call them. Our run dates turned into gym dates, as Mike is more of a gym rat than a runner. So I would help him with his running and he helped me start lifting. We started training together for our first half marathon (my idea, not his). Running and lifting dates soon turned into sushi and ice cream dates- still as friends.”
“We would end up spending most of our time together, grew very close and comfortable with one another, and honestly, at some point, we just decided we really loved our time together- and loved each other. We don’t have an “anniversary date”, but I like it that way- because it goes to show how our relationship has evolved drastically from friends, best friends to partners in life. I wouldn’t have it any other way, and he is still my very best friend to date. “
“As graduation neared, I was planning to move back to Philadelphia. I was unsure how things would turn out with us, but Mike already knew- he needed to come with me to Philly. So yeah- men do sometimes follow us 😉 I guess that’s what I love the most about him- he’s passionate, stubborn almost, but works hard to make anything happen. He really won me over, and still does every day. The summer after graduation we moved in together (almost 2 years ago!) and it has been the best adventure. “
“Since moving in, we brought 2 adorable pups into our lives, Tierney Rose and Daphne Mae. We both have great jobs (myself as a speech therapist, Michael as a financial advisor), we are an active couple (3 half marathons in the books and more to come!), and more than anything- we have the biggest love for the “City of Brotherly Love”.”
“I’m the “lets do everything” person in the relationship. Being in Philly, there is always something to do, somewhere to go, and an agenda is always prepared (by me). Mike and I always love to see whats going on and plan our weekends around festivals, restaurant weeks, races, dog outings- whatever might be happening, Philly has been a place where we have created some of our best memories, where we have weekend runs along Kelly Drive, where we indulge in all the best restaurants and became true “foodies”, where we have our “spots” like the bakery and coffee shop down the street, where we both took a leap of faith to move in together, where we have fallen more and more in love with each other, where we have a house- and a home. I have been in this city for 25 years, and no matter what, I still feel excited driving past that beautiful skyline. It will always be home for me- and I am so happy that Mike has fallen in love with it as much as I have- and as much as I’ve fallen in love with him.”
“As for getting engaged- its definitely in the talks (and hopefully happening soon!) As I said, I follow the wedding industry very closely and am always looking at blogs, Pinterest, visiting and making friends with vendors, you name it- so I have a pretty good vision of what I would love someday! Of course, I hope to get married in Philadelphia, with the ceremony and reception as close to center city as possible. I’ve envisioned an “urban industrial meets romantic glamour” wedding in my mind, with lots of gold, rose gold, flowers and shimmer galore, all with the backdrop of this gorgeous city. I can’t wait to start legitimately planning someday, even though for me, I already have!”
See the full gallery + story on Jordan DeNike’s blog!
Vendors | Photography: Jordan DeNike Photography | Flowers: Falls Flowers | Hair: Jackie at Salon L’Etoile & Spa |