Basketball 
Porsha can thank Michael’s tardiness for their initial connection. The pair shared a Biology course together in college and after strolling into lab late one day, he was placed in her lab group. The two became friendly, kept in touch following the end of the course, and a year later they started dating. Fast forwarding to Christmas Day 2014, Porsha spied a large present under the tree with her name on it, but Michael wouldn’t allow her to open until the next day.
The next day, as Porsha anxiously opened the huge package, she found several small individually wrapped gifts and later came across a larger box. The box, which was bigger than a ring box lead Porsha to believe that a necklace could be hidden inside. “When I opened it, there was a note that read ‘I O U, I’m going to make you the happiest woman in the world one day, P.S. When the time is right.’ The box was EMPTY! I giggled and as I looked up, Preston (our 6 month old at the time) had a ‘Mummy will you marry my Daddy?‘ onesie on” shares Porsha. As she stood in complete shock, Michael next began to serenade Porsha with all the things that she had waited so patiently to hear and later asked if she would marry him. Beautiful!
Keeping in line with the proposal, this charming couple also included their 1-year-old, Preseton in their engagement session photos, which indeed make this memorable moment even more precious. Captured by coterie members Jennifer & Rolando of J&R photography, who site that while they fought against the elements (that eventually won once it began pouring raining), to shoot this couple’s e-session in NYC’s Central Park, the outcome was nothing short of beautiful. Scroll on for more.
Bride-to-Be:Porsha Canales
Groom-to-Be: Michael Flores
Wedding date:12/11/2016
Wedding location: Villa Borghese in Wappingers Falls NY
Engagement shoot location: Central Park in Manhattan, NY
Describe your engagement session! Did you have a theme?
Initially we wanted a “snow shoot” since we started dating in December and we’re having a winter wedding, we thought it would have been awesome to do the shoot in the snow. Due to our schedule and the lack of snow this past winter it just didn’t work in our favor so we decided to wait to Spring.
We scheduled a date in May about 2 months prior. About 5 days before our shoot the weather had about a 20% chance of rain. We started to get a bit worried about the possibility of rain and began watching the weather like a hawk. As the day came closer, the chance of rain grew to 90%. The day before, the chance of rain lessened to possible showers. We stayed in contact with Jenn and Ro up to a few hours prior to our scheduled time to see if we should reschedule. It started to rain around 3pm, our photo shoot was scheduled for 5pm!
We decided to take a chance and are extremely happy that we did! When we arrived to Central Park the rain had stopped. The weather held up for most of our shoot. Then it started drizzling, started raining a litter harder , then pretty much started pouring a bit! In the end we feel that the rain added to our shoot and didn’t hinder it in any way. Our pictures came out amazing!
What did you do on your first date?
Went to the movies and dinner.
What’s your favorite thing to do as a couple?
So cliché, but we really love taking walks and talking. It is something we’ve always done and continue to do.
How has wedding planning been so far?
Wedding planning has been pretty cool and exciting, as the date is gets closer we are starting to freak out a bit about every little detail.
What are you looking forward to most on the wedding day?
This December makes 8 years together, we are super excited for us to finally tie the knot, celebrate with our closest friends and family and begin our new journey as a married couple.
Vendors
Photography: J&R Photography
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Stewart Family Session
Family photo sessions are not what they used to be. Remember back in the day when your parents would take you to sears or whatever local photo studio and you would have to sit in front of that hideous backdrop and fake smile? These days, family photo sessions are more about capturing the family in their element. Well lit, well styled, and truly candid.
We shared a photo on our instagram a while ago that went viral. It was liked over 11,000 times and received hundreds of shares on facebook. So it’s only right that we interview the gorgeous family that has everyone in awe. Meet the Stewarts, our first family featured on MunaMommy.
How did you meet?
We actually met at the gym. People are often surprised, but we like to think we’re just an example that a healthy lifestyle can pay off in more ways than one!
Tell us about the proposal.
My husband actually flew across the country to surprise me at home on Christmas Eve. All my family was in on it, and our tradition is opening gifts at midnight. His present was a pair of heels, and when I opened it he offered to help me try them on. Down on one knee he opened the box, and on one of the heels was a ring. He proposed and I was in tears. It was definitely my Cinderella moment!
When did you get married?
We got married in 2006 and we’re celebrating our 10 year anniversary this July!
What is your occupation?
I am a stay at home mom and a fashion/lifestyle blogger.
What’s an average day like in the life of the Stewart family?
An average day for the Stewart family starts with the kiddos waking up by 7am. Once they’re up they spend some time playing with toys. Eventually we eat breakfast, the hubby is off to work and I head out with the kids for a walk around our neighborhood. Afterwards, the baby takes a nap and I get some one on one time with my big boy. We color, read, learn site words and numbers and before you know it it’s lunch time. Naps for both come after lunch and I try to get some work done while they rest. When the kiddos wake up, we usually head into their nook to have snacks and read. Eventually I leave while they play together and I start preparing dinner. Daddy comes home from work around 5pm, we eat together and then head to the park for some evening fun. We play with the soccer ball, or baseball or blow bubbles, we come back home for the kids bath time and then they’re ready for bed. The hubby and I cap the night off by spending time together talking, watching a movie or even working.
How do you find a balance between family, work, and life?
What is the key to successfully raising children?
Do you have any tips/daily routines to share with other parents that you find has helped create a healthy balance or positive behaviors in your child’s(or children’s) life?
What are three things that parents can do to build a strong relationship with their children?
What is one of your favorite memories you share with your child/children?
Anything else you would like to share?
Photos by
Thanks for sharing your family with us Vonette! Keep us with Vonette and her husband on instagram @vmarie401 and @tylerstewart12
If you’d like to have your family session featured, click here.
Precious Photos of African-American Fathers Bonding With Their Daughters
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Credits
Photography: CreativeSoul Photography
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Read all about their photo session experience and reflections on family life below.
Tell us about the inspiration for your family shoot:
We are going for a red carpet look, but in the middle of the desert. We wanted rich jewel colors that would be perfect for holiday photos. I made my daughter, Ava Joy’s dress. It was inspired by Blue Ivy’s 2016 VMA look. Azhley Marie Gonzales is always amazing to work with! She not only helps you feel completely beautiful and confident during her sessions, but she can also help pull your wardrobe perfectly before the session.
What are three things parents can do to build a relationship with their children?
Communicate clearly your expectations and dreams to them directly, love them unconditionally, and always laugh with them.
How do you balance your family and work?
Being a work at home mom it is sometimes difficult separating family time from work time, but I make it a point to have strict work hours during the week and to keep my weekends free for family time. My husband is in the United States Air Force, so when he is home, we try to spend our time making memories by exploring new places in our area.
Favorite thing(s) to do as a family:
Some our most favorite things to do as a family is take road trips, go to the park, watch movies, sing and dance around the house, and stay over night in hotels just because.
Vendors:
Photographer: Ashley Gonzales of Ashley Marie Photography
Child’s Dress: Ava Joy’s Dress by That’s So Cute Boutique
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MunaMommy: Reverend Roxanne Birchfield
Occupation: Chaplain in the United States Army Reserves & Hospital, Adjunct Professor and Wedding Officiant.
MunaDaddy: Reverend Joshua Birchfield
Occupation: Full-time Pastor, Hospice Spiritual Counselor.
Is this your first child or do you have other children?
Hunter is our only child.
Boy or Girl?
Girl
How was your pregnancy experience?
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All mommy’s-to-be experience those crazy cravings! What were your guilty pleasures?
Mac-n-cheese and MILK!
What was the inspiration for your maternity shoot? Did you have a theme?
MINIMALISM. Believe it or not, I am a minimalist-wanna-be. I am obsessed over the minimalist culture and am changing my family culture from being focused on materialistic things to focusing on making memories with people. With that said, I have found a great appreciation for photography. Photography is an art form that is imperative in the making-memories process. I wanted my photos to have a minimal look. Not much frills and a natural look. I wore all black and showed my stomach because that best showcased the nature of MY STORY in that moment in time and I did not want any “fancy” dress to take away from that.
During pregnancy what aspects of parenthood did you look forward to the most?
I looked forward to teaching my little girl about the “market place.” When the doctor told me I was having a little girl I was so happy! I couldn’t help but to think of one word, “legacy.” During my years of being single and traveling the world I visited Ghana, West Africa. If there was one thing I learned about the market place, it was that the men of the families that own the businesses were very much present but the woman were very much in charge and running the show. As a third generation entrepreneur, this left a great impression on me. I thought it was an interesting cultural analysis. I saw so many women running the market place; strong and highly proficient women making it look so easy. When I reflect on what it means to have a little girl in today’s political and economical climate I reflect on the images of these woman and the rich legacy they will leave behind.
What is your advice for expecting mothers/parents?
Every day you should wake up and look in the mirror and know that you are already good enough. The work of being a parent doesn’t come with a guide book. It is such a challenging job that even many great Biblical men made mistakes as parents. As a minister, I firmly believe that God doesn’t give us the children we want in our lives, he gives us the children we need in our lives. God continues to shape and mold us as human agents through parenting like he does through marriage and other relationships.
Vendors:
Photographer – Rolland Smith
Married by Rev Roxy
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Photo Credit: Dominic Lipinski WPA Pool /Getty Images
Photo Credit: Pool
Photo Credit: Dominic Lipinski WPA Pool / Getty Images
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Photo credit: @_jasmineyh_
Photo Credit: @munamommy
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