Y’all, Libby and Riley’s engagement session at Centennial Park in Nashville, TN was one of the sweetest I’ve photographed. These two have known each other since second grade, grew up side by side, and now they’re planning forever together. Spending an evening with them walking through the park, laughing, and capturing their love was such a joy.

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How Libby & Riley First Met

Libby and Riley first met back in second grade, when Libby transferred to Riley’s school. Years later, Riley asked her to a Valentine’s party at church in sixth grade — their very first “date.” He’ll tell you it was awkward, but isn’t that just the sweetest start to a love story?

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Growing Up Together & Falling in Love

Libby says she didn’t have one specific moment when she knew Riley was the one — instead, it was a steady realization over the years as she found that she couldn’t imagine a life without her best friend. She laughed that he’s the only one who can get under her skin, pick on her endlessly, and still make her want to be around him every single day.

Riley? He’ll tell you he knew from the beginning. Even in sixth grade, he just wanted Libby to be his friend forever. As they grew, that “forever” started to look a lot like marriage. He admires how she brings out the best in him and pushes him to grow — something he says is rare and invaluable.

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The Sweetest Proposal Story

This proposal story is one for the books. Libby thought she and Riley were heading to a coworker’s birthday dinner. Then her dad called, saying he was stuck on the hill with the golf cart and needed gas. When they got to the top, instead of finding her dad, there was a picnic set up with photos of the two of them. That’s when Riley got down on one knee.

Libby remembers thinking, “Oh my gosh, no way this is happening. This is going to be the best day ever!”
Riley, meanwhile, admits the first thing that crossed his mind was, “Keep your back straight.” (And sure enough, Libby reminded him of the same thing so he wouldn’t look goofy in the pictures!)

And just when they thought the moment couldn’t get any more unforgettable — it started to rain. Then a big, beautiful rainbow stretched across the sky, and they both knew it was a sign from God, her Nana, and his grandparents smiling down on them.

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Walking Through Life Side by Side

Over the years, Libby and Riley have shared both joy and heartbreak. They’ve walked through the loss of her Nana and his Papa, two incredibly important people in their lives. They’ll both tell you that season made them stronger and drew them closer together — learning to lean on each other through grief gave them a deeper bond than ever before.

They admire the best in each other: Riley loves Libby’s kindness, and Libby loves Riley’s passion and enthusiasm for everything he does. Friends describe them as “loud, fun, outgoing,” and even call them “goals.”

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Looking Ahead

This engagement season feels like a dream for Libby — one she’s been waiting on for years. For Riley, it feels like the anticipation of Christmas morning as a kid — every day building toward the moment he gets to marry his best friend.

On their wedding day, Libby can’t wait to celebrate with everyone they love and to finally call Riley her husband. Riley? He jokes about the pictures but says the truth is, he’s most excited to see Libby walk down the aisle and know that forever is beginning right then.

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A Centennial Park Engagement Session to Remember

Photographing Libby and Riley at Centennial Park in Nashville, TN felt like capturing a love that’s been growing for decades. From second grade to “yes,” their story is living proof that sometimes the best love stories are the ones that start in childhood and just never let go.

Full gallery coming soon here!!