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Old School, New Life Ahead . . . In Pictures!

Today is my first day of summer vacation and LIFE IS GOOD! I have been engaged for over a month, but I promised myself that I would wait to start planning the wedding until after school was out for the summer. I did, however, decide allow myself one pre-summer wedding indulgence: engagement photos.

cute school-themed engagement photos

I wanted my engagement session to reflect the background of my fiancé, Rob, and myself. It only seemed fitting to have our photos taken in a school. Rob and I both attended Catholic Schools in the area. Today, Rob represents many schools at the law firm he is employed by. And of course, there is the fact that I am a teacher.

As many of you already know, my entire school recently moved into a new building, leaving behind a beautiful historic structure with a rich history. The move was necessary for countless reasons, but the old building will always be a treasure to me. My grandfather attended school in the former St. Mary building so many years ago and I was a student in the same building for all of my Pre-K-8 years. During that time, my mother taught Second Grade at my school. I literally grew up in this building and it is the place that I spent countless hours playing school while waiting for my mom to complete her daily classroom preparation.

I was overjoyed to return to this beautiful structure that greatly shaped the woman I am today and take photos with the man I am going to marry. Today’s blog post is a just-for-fun peek into a beautiful historic school. Each photo was taken on site. Enjoy the personal tour. The architecture and building details are stunning. Each corner, room, and hallway are filled with memories.

cute school-themed engagement photoscute school-themed engagement photos

A gorgeous glimpse into a room that served as a library when I was much younger.
cute school-themed engagement photos

Brian, our photographer, saw the frosted glass and thought it would make for an interesting photo. He had no way of knowing, but this particular door was the door to my mother’s second grade classroom. I LOVE that it was the subject of the photo. So many memories.
cute school-themed engagement photos
cute school-themed engagement photos
cute school-themed engagement photos
cute school-themed engagement photos

cute school-themed engagement photos

cute school-themed engagement photos
The best part of an old building?
So much character. Including these gorgeous french doors.

cute school-themed engagement photos
cute school-themed engagement photos
cute school-themed engagement photos
cute school-themed engagement photos

cute school-themed engagement photos
We had a blast hanging out on so many fire escapes around the building.
cute school-themed engagement photos
This photo is one of my very favorites. Nobody said I could only have one very favorite.

cute school-themed engagement photos
cute school-themed engagement photos
Rob and I are thrilled beyond words for all of the blessings God has given to us. We owe Brian from BTW Photography a huge thank you for his incredible photos. Not only did he capture the essence of Rob and I are as a couple, he also helped preserve the memory of a building that will always be near to my heart. He is truly one of the most talented people I have ever met and I cannot wait to see the work he does on our wedding day. You can stop by the BTW Photography Blog to see even more photos from our engagement session.BTW wedding photography
One last photo before you go. As I sit down to write this post with my fingers on the keys, this seemed like a fitting image to leave you with. Thank you so much for your sincere excitement and joy for this next big step in my life. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
gorgeous rose gold engagement ring and MacBook keyboard
Want to see more photos as I prepare for my new life? Follow me on Instagram for a peek at my activities behind the scenes of Kinder-Craze.

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Maria Gavin

Maria is a former kindergarten and first grade teacher, with 13 years of teaching experience. Her love and passion for all things early childhood is now fulfilled as a mom to two amazing kids. She loves sharing practical and creative tips and ideas that are perfect for young learners – in the classroom or at home!

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38 Responses

  1. I only know you through your blog and facebook, but these pictures choked me up, and left me crying.They, and you, are so beautiful. What a treasure. I wish you much happiness and love in the future!

    1. Thank you Jess! It amazes me that people I have never met in real life care so much about my life and my aspirations. Even though we have never met, I greatly appreciate your sincere wishes!

  2. Those pictures are GORGEOUS!!! Your photographer did an amazing job capturing the “teacher” look you wanted, but also some classic poses, you can cherish forever!

    1. Thank you Laura! I keep smiling every time I look through the post. Brian certainly captured the essence of who we are and what holds near and dear to my heart.

  3. What a great location! And I can just hear the nuns advising to “leave a little room for the Holy Spirit!” (haha!) 😉

    1. Hahah Amy! I never had a nun for a teacher (though we have had one on staff for the past several years). Now when I look at all of those photos, I think about all the nuns that would be shaking their heads and waving their fingers at me.

  4. What a great piece. You are such an amazing young person. I have loved following you and your blog. This next part of your life will be filled with so many new experiences that are yet to unfold for you and your eternal partner. How can anyone not be “over the hills happy” for you both. Enjoy every moment as I know you will.

    1. Right now it is primarily used as storage. Many of the classrooms are filled with overflow furniture. With time, I think the plan is to tear it down so that the building does not become a blight issue. It makes me so sad and was one of the reasons I wanted to preserve my memory of the school in a special way.

  5. I also felt really touched by these photos because your Mom taught at the school and you attended this school through middle school. I also grew up with a teacher Mom and grew up waiting in classrooms which I loved! This building is truly beautiful. What do they plan to do with it?

    1. Those afternoons of waiting for my mom certainly shaped who I am today. Sadly, I think the building will be torn down with thine. It is in dire need of a lot of work in order to sustain for the future. The windows alone would cost a few $100k. I’m so glad I had a chance to preserve my memory of the school in a special way.

  6. Congratulations to you and Rob! I love the way you highlighted this important place in your life. The picture of you behind your Mom’s door is wonderful! My husband and I will be married for 22 years on the 27th of this month. We were married at the Catholic Church were my parents got married. I had our photographer recreate a picture that my parents had done at their wedding of them standing in the doorway, facing each other. The littlest things mean the most and will be remembered the longest.

  7. Your pictures are breathtaking! It is absolutely amazing how much nostalgia you were able to capture and the pure joy you can see in your faces. Congratulations and I hope you enjoy planning your wedding this summer.

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Hi, I'm Maria.

I’m a former kindergarten teacher turned work-from-home mom. I still love sharing ideas and resources to make teaching easier, so you can focus on what really matters in the classroom. When I’m not working on the blog, you’ll find me chasing kids around the house with a cold cup of coffee in my hand (some things never change even once you’re out of the classroom!)

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