I am a hopeless romantic – so it’s no surprise that I love this couple’s story. By a twist of fate their paths crossed, and their connection undeniable (as you can tell from the gorgeous images by Amy Arrington!). After a year of long distance romance traversing the country, a proposal took place, and luckily we get to share it with you today. So cozy up to some coffee and scroll through the seasonal gallery here.
From Kristi + Pete…Peter and Kristi met a college football game in September 2010 the University of Alabama hosted a game against Penn State University. Kristi had just graduated from the University of Alabama and was visiting Tuscaloosa, Alabama with some girlfriends (and future bridesmaids) for the game. Peter and his friends (future groomsmen) had also planned a guy’s trip for the football weekend. The two schools only play every 15 years so it was by luck that they met!
Pete and Kristi met on the Friday night before the game at the college hangout where Kristi spent many of her college days, Gallettes. Although there are different versions of how the conversation sparked, some could say we owe it all to Pete’s best man, Pat, who initially approached Kristi’s friends.
There was an insanely instant connection. Despite living on opposite sides of the coast, Pete and Kristi kept in touch after the game and began talking daily (Kristi was living in Atlanta as a newspaper reporter & magazine editor and Pete was living in Boston in the financial industry). A month later, while each visiting friends in New York City (Kristi was visiting bridesmaid, Lauren and Pete was visiting groomsman, Frank), Kristi and Peter were able to spend another weekend together and they knew it was meant to be. After their NYC getaway, Kristi and Peter maintained their relationship. Every couple weeks they would fly to visit each other. Kristi’s mom was a flight attendant and so Kristi and Pete would use buddy passes and fly to random cities—aka whatever flights had seats open. Everyone thought they were both crazy! A long story short, after a year of long distance, Kristi and Peter moved to California together where they have been for the last three-and-a-half years. Kristi worked as an Associate Producer at the Dr. Phil television show and Pete continues to thrive in finance industry.
In the summer of 2013, Pete was offered a great opportunity to work as a wholesaler in his hometown city of Philadelphia—It was a move that they couldn’t turn town. Kristi was lucky enough to stay on the Dr. Phil staff and was offered a position as Booking Producer for Dr. Phil, while living in Philadelphia… The two have been living in Society Hill neighborhood of Philly ever since!
Pete surprised Kristi with a weekend trip to the quaint, Catalina Island, off the CA coast. The island is tiny… only 22 miles long and 8 miles across! They spent the day exploring the island and before dinner, Pete proposed to Kristi on the rooftop overlooking the ocean… it was supposed to be at sunset, but of course, Kristi found the ring box while getting ready. It sent Pete into a panic-attack frenzy, and after attempting to “hide” the box under the bed, Pete realized there was no turning back. The proposal happened about an hour earlier than planned, but it was a perfect and very “us” proposal!
Engagement pictures were taken in Kristi’s hometown on Lake Oconee where her family lives, and in Madison where she went to high school.
Photography: Amy Arrington Photography | Venue: Lake Oconee