Happy Thursday, everyone! It’s a fabulously sunny day here in Grand Rapids, which was fun to wake up to having fallen asleep to the loud booms and crashes of lightning and thunder, and the pounding of rain. I’m in love with summer thunderstorms, and there’s something that makes them even more magical when you wake up to birds singing in the glowy summer sun. It’s something akin to a peaceful newness, but I can’t quite place a finger on it. Either way – I like it. And I’m in love with Michigan summers. (:

And speaking of Michigan summers, I got to kick my summer off with an engagement session for an old high school friend and her wonderful man on Memorial Day weekend in Grand Haven! How perfect is that?! Meet Matt&Erin (: I really, really like these two. From the moment we started taking photos, they were laughing and full of joy. Whether that was from the nervousness of having a huge camera in front of their faces for the first time, or the giddiness of celebrating an engagement with photos – it was infectious, and WAY too much fun. You’ll see what I mean. They are CUTE to BOOT.

Erin and I met in high school (errr… before high school? You may need to refresh my memory here, friend!) and remained friends throughout all 4 crazy years… and after! While we didn’t stay in touch a whole lot, reuniting was like picking up right where we left off. Big hugs and laughs and all. (: If you were to flip through old embarrassing high school photos, you’d be sure to find a photo of Erin and I somewhere in there with all of our girlfriends before a dance, sparkly dresses and all, rockin’ your stereotypical duck lips and/or ‘sexy leg’ photo. LOL. Oh man. I’m really hoping those don’t resurface…

Thankfully, we decided to leave those poses out of our engagement session. Though I don’t know Matt would have been so upset about it if he got to rock that pose with his woman.

I am so very excited about the honor of being their wedding day photographer next June! There’s at least a small slice of perfection in getting to watch a friend who you’ve always known was as genuine and wonderful as they come get married to a man who truly cherishes her. Thanks for letting me be a part of it you guys, I’m grateful.

And now, let the crazy amounts of cuteness commence! (:

A few (hah, who am I kidding – several) years ago, while I was still in classes at GVSU, I met some stellar folks and got involved with a newly growing organization on campus – Campus Crusade for Christ (or rather, Cru). One of the things I loved the most about being involved was the opportunity I got as I entered my junior and senior years there to mentor younger lowerclassmen. It was always really nerve-wracking to sit down with a girl I hardly knew, and see how the journey of us sharing life together would unfold. It’s kind of a big deal to be given – especially because, let’s be honest, odds are we were only going to be about 2 years apart in age! What on earth am I gonna tell this girl about things I’m currently dealing with that she wants help on dealing with herself??

Well, that’s what I quickly found was the beauty of it. We were in it to share life together. And I always found that it seemed like I learned more from the person that I was set up to mentor than they may have from me.

The absolute beauty in the photos below is one such lady. Oh my goodness. Her joy, transparency, and desire to learn and grow was so humbling to me. I always knew when we got together I’d hear it all. We’d cry, laugh, struggle, rejoice… it was perfect. I can without hesitation that she is one of the biggest blessings I had in my college years. Especially in the times where I was struggling most with the situations around me and the ways God was changing me – she was a place of peace and joy. Katie my dear – I am crazy grateful for you. Thank you.

SO. One day when we met up and I found out she’d met someone, it was no small deal! This girl doesn’t really date around. Actually, in the time I knew her, she hadn’t so much as even been on one date. And I mean, LOOK at her! She’s gorgeous! But more than that, she was intentional, and not about to waste life on someone she didn’t know was truly something. And well… then she met David. And I could tell from the first time she talked about him, this guy probably wasn’t going anywhere. For a while.

And whadda ya know, I was right.

A few weeks ago we got together to take some photos to celebrate their engagement to be married, and I finally got to meet this man! Yeah… it took that long! It brought so much joy to Drew and I to see these two together. You’ll see it too, I promise. Just how he looks at her, how he treats her, how peaceful they are together. Oh, and how much they laugh together.

They’ll pledge their forever in August of this year, and I can’t. even. wait.

Love you guys.