An all-women team came together to bring to life this Coney Island for these two lovebirds. Emily and Maddie met on a Halloween Bar Crawl, so it made sense that their first date was also Halloween themed.
How did you meet?
E & M: We met on a Halloween Bar Crawl in South Philly. Emily walked over to Maddie and asked why she wasn’t wearing a witch hat like everyone else [of course Maddie was too cool for that]. We talked all night and exchanged numbers and had our first date one week later!
Our first date was also Halloween themed, and we saw the movie ‘Carrie’ in the auditorium of an old school building. Maddie got up to get a drink, and when she came back she accidentally walked down the wrong row and sat next to a different blonde girl!
We could not stop laughing for the rest of the movie.
What is your favorite memory together?
E & M: Our favorite memory together is traveling to San Diego for their Pride Festival. It was an amazing day of performers, vendor booths, delicious food, and colorful drinks. At the end of the night, we got to see King Princess perform on the main stage, which is one of our favorite artists right now! When she sang “1950,” we were holding each other and so full of happiness and pride, we swear we both had chills.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome together?
E & M: The biggest challenge we have had to overcome is when we thought that Maddie was getting deployed overseas for an entire year. We were newly dating and super in love and obsessed with each other, and Maddie got the notice that she would be deploying in just a few months.
Things ended up changing for Maddie’s platoon [luckily], but it was a very emotional few months where we thought we would have to live apart for an entire year. It definitely made us stronger and more prepared for a situation where she might have to be deployed.
Tell us your favorite thing about one another
E: My favorite thing about Maddie is her empathy for others. She is so sweet and caring to anyone she meets. If she sees a dog in a window or an older woman eating by herself, Maddie becomes so invested and curious and doesn’t want anyone to ever feel sad or lonely. Her heart is so big, and there isn’t a selfish bone in her body. This is my first serious relationship, and the love that Maddie has shown me is something that I didn’t even know was possible before I met her.
M: My favorite thing about Emily is her cute little feet! Just kidding, but I do have a weird love for her dancer feet.
I think my favorite thing about Emily is how independent she is. She is such a hard worker and determined when it comes to her personal life and work life. Emily knows how to stand up for herself and the ones she loves. She makes me feel so assured, safe, and the happiest I’ve ever been. Emily has changed my life for the better, and I am so thankful for her. And of course, she gives the best cuddles in the world!
What’s in the future for you both?
E & M: We plan to stay in Philly for another year or two while Maddie finishes her degree, and Emily continues working for a startup company that she is super passionate about. Then we want to move to the West Coast and continue traveling as much as possible! We definitely need to live by a beach and be able to take our future pup on amazing hikes overlooking the ocean.
As happy and as confident as we feel in our relationship, we do still get judgmental looks when we hold hands or show affection in public. We’ve had men come up to us at the bars and make homophobic or gross comments. It is not always easy…but it fuels the fire and makes us even more passionate about the LGBTQ+ community. We feel we all must stick together and be out and proud!
Love must be louder than hate.
Photography Madison Neuman Photography
Creative Director Alexandra Conn of Blonde and Blue Boutique
Lovers Emily & Maddie
Makeup Melanie Makeup Artistry
Stylist Jasmin of Black Stone Vintage
