I first met Jaricia two years ago while doing her sister’s engagement portraits. I’m still in shock it was that long ago! Although, nothing compares to how long Nathan and Jaricia have known each other … since 2003! Now THAT feels like forever ago! They wanted to do their photos at a beautiful scenic farm for their engagement. Marrowdale Farm in Charlottesville was the perfect venue for them since Jaricia works there. My mouth dropped when I drove up surrounded by mountains, gorgeous landscaping and a spot on southern charm with the architecture. Seriously a dream! They brought along their two pups and we ventured around the farm capturing some beautiful lighting! If documenting their sweet love is this easy, I cannot wait to see them on their wedding day! Oh joyful day! <3
Nathan & Jaricia’s Love Story
How they met:
Jaricia and Nathan met back in 2003, and their meeting and the relationship they now share, in retrospect, seem fated. At that time, Nathan was an assistant manager at the Tractor Supply store in Warrenton and Jaricia worked at North Wales Farm, also in Warrenton. Jaricia’s mom, Elaine, also worked at Tractor Supply at that time. In fact, shortly after hiring on there, Elaine had shown Nathan Jaricia’s picture and suggested they meet, just to hang out and maybe be friends. Nathan politely declined because he thought Elaine was crazy for trying to set her daughter up with a random guy she barely knew. He also expected to have to relocate once he completed his management training to qualify for a promotion to store manager, and getting into a relationship seemed impractical.
Some time later, on June 5, 2003, Elaine had asked Jaricia to meet another young man in the morning at the store. As it happened, Jaricia was busy that morning, and she really wasn’t interested in being set up with a guy at the time. However, she did go in to the store that evening to pick up some vaccinations for her horses. When she needed advice, Elaine suggested she speak with Nathan, knowing that his mom had horses. During their conversation, Jaricia became interested in Nathan because he struck her as being a hard worker, polite, and mature (“Little did she know,” Nathan usually jokes when they tell their story). As the ladies walked to her truck, Jaricia noticed a Dodge Dakota sitting in the parking lot. Having been interested in getting a Dodge Dakota herself, she joked, “There’s my truck!” to which Elaine replied that she thought the truck belonged to Nathan. “Why didn’t you try to set me up with Nathan?” Jaricia asked. “Well, he seems kind of grumpy, and he didn’t seem interested when I showed him your picture.” A few days later, Elaine asked Nathan if he would give her his number so she could pass it on to Jaricia, which he did.
After speaking on the phone a little and talking at the store when Jaricia stopped by, they went on their first date on June 13, 2003. The evening began with dinner at Casa Chimayo, a small Mexican restaurant in Manassas, near the mall. After dinner, they went to what was then Hoyt’s movie theater, and ended up seeing The Italian Job. After the movie, they returned to Cedar Crest Farm, where Nathan lived with his parents. They continued to talk while Nathan showed her around the farm in the moonlight, all the while being eating alive by mosquitoes. Nathan then walked Jaricia back to her truck, where they talked more, and eventually he hugged her to say good night. She kissed him lightly on the back of the neck, and then they shared their first kiss, and then several more before the night finally ended. The following morning, on her way to work, Nathan passed right in front of Jaricia in his truck. She hurried to catch up with him and honked to get his attention. He looked over and they shared a big smile, then went their separate ways. It wouldn’t be long, however, before they were inseparable.
The proposal:
On Mother’s Day 2014, Jaricia stopped at Sears in Warrenton and bought two pairs of earrings she thought would look nice on her bridesmaids. At that point, no wedding had been planned, and while they had discussed marriage, Nathan had yet to propose. At lunch Jaricia showed Nathan the earrings and mentioned that she’d like to have another pair, since she knew she would have three bridesmaids. After lunch, Nathan went to the Sears in Manassas and got one more pair, which was all they had. Later, Jaricia thought she might like to have yet another pair, for herself, so she could match the bridesmaids, but neither location had any more.
In the meantime, Nathan had purchased an engagement ring in Fairfax. On the day he picked up the ring, he also decided to visit the Sears there, and found one more pair of the sought-after earrings, thinking that they could play a part in his proposal, which he hadn’t really planned yet. He concocted a few different plans to make the proposal special, romantic, and above all a surprise (which, given that they’d been together for almost eleven years, he knew would be a challenge), and each one failed to come to fruition for one reason or another.
On May 24, 2014, as they prepared for dinner in the living room as usual, Nathan decided that he would not wait any longer. He lagged behind in the kitchen and retrieved the earrings and the engagement ring, putting the engagement ring, in its box, in his pocket. As he went into the living room he told Jaricia that he’d gotten her another pair of the earrings so she could match her bridesmaids like she wanted, and gave her the earrings. While her attention was on the earrings, Nathan pulled the small white box from his pocket and said, “I got you something else to wear on your wedding day.” Before looking over, she began to ask if he’d found a necklace for her, too, then turned to see him kneel, open the box, and ask “Will you marry me?” “I thought you’d never ask!” she said as she burst into tears. They will be married on her family’s farm on September 26, 2015.
Thank you Nathan and Jaricia for bringing me down to Charlottesville to document your sweet and fun love. 🙂 Loved meeting your pups! Now it is the final countdown to your big day this fall!!! Cannot wait! Enjoy some of my favorites!
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