sarah tew photography

After graduation, we both set off to different colleges and new adventures. However, we never ended our friendship. Phone calls, Facetime, and weekend visits- we remained each others stronghold through the growing pains.

Fast forward four years, and I am assigned to begin Teach for America in New York City. In a serendipitous act from fate, Derek received an offer from a boutique trading firm 4 blocks away from me in lower Manhattan. Knowing this was the universe telling us to jump head first, we made a commitment to one another to give our first love a forever try.

New York proved to be the place we grew together, from coping with the anxieties of a first job, to exploring the secret gardens in a concrete jungle we spent every spare moment together-learning, laughing, and loving.

In Summer 2016 I received a job opportunity in CT, it was difficult to imagine a long-distance relationship, but we barreled through that challenge, not knowing that each small hill was preparing us for the mountain we would climb together.

June 2017 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis- a summer filled with disability, needles, drug cocktails, pain, and fear. Without a falter, Derek held my hand, kissed my tears and never walked away. Those months led to a new normal, but much better stability. It was during the darkest hours, that we knew we wanted to spend every day together walking toward the sun.

We are forever partners, excited to continue our love story.” – Daisey