Bathsheba and Wilson have a love that has spanned nearly an entire decade – and it’s still going strong! Their engagement session was shot with brilliance by Keith Cephus Photography.
Bride: Bathsheba Bryant
Groom: Wilson Tarpeh
Occupations: Bride – Ph.D student at Howard University; Groom – Founder/CEO, My Mind on Sports
E-Session Shoot: 03.23.2012
Location: Washington, D.C.
The Meeting ….. “Wilson and I met June of 2002 at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. I was 16 and he was just about to turn 19 years old. We were both attending a youth conference and I noticed him during the opening session. He impressed me because he was taking notes and seemed like he was really engaged in what the speakers were saying. It ended up that we were in the same break-out group and I noticed he was “checking me out.” He also had these “non-conformist” opinions to add to the discussion and I could tell he was a bit of a rebel and, of course, that sparked my interest! Later on that day during lunch, he was sitting two tables over from me and I kept noticing that he was still sneaking glances at me. At the end of the day we talked a little and gave each other a hug good-bye. I said I would stay in touch ….. When I said that, he replied “Oh no, I put the wrong number on there because I thought it was another girl in the session (who he didn’t want to have his number) who was collecting the numbers,” so he gave me the correct number. We talked all summer over the phone and went on our first date to the movies in November ….. After that, we would write letters back in forth since he lived in Alexandria and I lived in Woodbridge. It really was romantic. In one of the letters I wrote, “I think I am falling in love with you,” and he replied that he felt the same way. I still have those letters. He asked me to be his girlfriend officially on Jan. 24, 2003 and we’ve been together ever since.”
The Proposal ….. “Wilson had just helped me move back in town from Harrisburg, PA after working there for a year. We both made the two to three hour commute several times during that year and only went two weekends without seeing each other due to the snow. I moved back home that Friday and on Saturday, August 14 which is Wilson’s birthday he told me we were going out for dinner with one of my best friends (Man of Honor) Casey and his girlfriend at the time. We all met up at the mall early that day and Casey’s girlfriend and I went to shop for a new outfit to wear that night. Little did I know that Wilson took Casey to pick up my ring while we were shopping. Later that night, I was getting ready to go out for Wilson’s birthday and he was downstairs waiting for me. He called me downstairs to see if his tie looked okay. As I went to walk downstairs he came up to the foyer and he looked a little nervous and was sweating. He said he asked my dad for my “hand” and he got down on one knee and said, “Today is my birthday and you are the best gift God has given me…” and he then asked [if I] would be his wife! Although I knew Wilson had been very anxious and nervous in previous weeks and I suspected he was up to something, I did not think it would be that night that he would propose. I was so thrilled and happy and shocked and had a whirlwind of emotions and I, of course, said “Yes!” ….. Currently, after nine years of courtship, long-distance years when I attended Spelman College and he was in the DC metropolitan area, and spiritual growth we are thankful to God for our love that we share and look forward to a beautiful life together!”
The E-Session Theme ….. “Wilson and I both love the style and sophistication of the 1920s. We decided to not only have a vintage look from the “Roaring” decade for our e-session but our wedding, too. With it being at the peak of the Cherry Blossom season, we took full advantage of the beautiful backdrop the District has to offer in the spring. The pictures are very intimate and give the feeling that we are in a secret hideaway by the Tidal Basin where we enjoyed feeding each other strawberries and looking into the distance enjoying each other’s embrace. We also used Union Station and the trolley to represent the excitement of the journey of marriage that we are preparing to embark on. We believe that the union of marriage and our love is an adventure and we wanted to convey that in the pictures.”
{You Make Loving You So Easy}
He loves ….. “Wilson loves and admires how I care so deeply about others and [the fact that] I have a very idealistic and positive perspective on life, always finding the light even in the most difficult and darkest of situations.”
She loves ….. “What I love and adore most about Wilson is his loyalty, and he has a heart of gold, always denying self to put the needs of others before his own.”
These pictures are amazing. Love the dress and that you have your little dog in them! Congrats! Can you send the info about where you’re registered. No obligatory shower/wedding invite needed. (ha ha). Wilson has just been a big part of some interesting parts of Shawn and I’s lives and would both love to honor you both with a gift. (and your little dog was an interesting part of my crazy cat’s life!!!!). ; ). Congrats again. Timarie Simmons