Today's engagement shoot had me at hello...and good-bye! Kaitlin and Mitch have had plenty of both during their relationship, but rather than dwelling on the difficulties of having a long distance relationship while Mitch is enlisted, they decided to celebrate the sweetness of a homecoming, and how excited they are to spend their lives together in the future. Jesse Daniels's photographs at the Evansville Airport perfectly illustrate the bittersweet of their relationship, and the exciting things to come!

From Bride Kaitlin: Our engagement photography session was the most wonderful part of our wedding planning, an experience we were so desperately looking forward to and a memory we will never forget. My fiance, LCpl. Mitch Mansfield, had not been home to Evansville, Indiana in 11 months. He is currently stationed at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Mitch only had two weeks home before he was deployed and we were determined to make those weeks seem like months. Our accumulation of photos together are far and few between because our relationship spans over 4,000 miles. Therefore, the four hours spent with Jesse and Gena Daniels symbolized so much more than just photos. They are a reminder of the time we do get to spend together.

We decided to choose the Evansville Regional Airport as a location for our shoot because we’ve been faced with seven hellos and goodbyes in airports throughout the United States. Simply, airports represent our relationship. It brings both happy and sad tears, but always ones full of promise. Knowing one day, when we are both in an airport, we will leave together and come home together.

With our wedding on August 17, 2013, the next time I will see Mitch will be a few days before the big day. These photos help us both get through the months apart and will forever be a fixture in our lives.

From photographer Jesse Daniels: Every girl loves a man in uniform! Bride to be Kaitlin is no exception. Her man Mitch is a marine who is currently deployed. Their engagement session had to take place in the winter months as it was the only leave Mitch has until their August wedding. Mitch looked so handsome in both his dress blues as well as his service uniform. Kaitlin's only request for the session was that we photograph them at the airport, since it is such an important part of their relationship while Mitch is on active duty (for both happy reunions and tearful send-offs). Kaitlin has every single letter of their correspondence and she brought those along too.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful story and images with us, Kaitlin and Mitch!