"I was hoping for snow," she said.  "Isn't Minnesota supposed to be snowy??"  And like that...her words were magical.  The snow started falling, and Mike got to experience a Minnesota winter day. Being from the south, Mike isn't used to cold or the snow.  However, being a true Minnesotan, it was Angela's hope to have a white winter engagement session.

This couple is absolutely adorable together.  They met at Notre Dame...where they both went to school.  Talk about a couple of smarties.  They are classy, sophisticated...and completely in love. 

Because huge snow flakes started falling just as we were starting...this session ended up being one of my favorites...and one of the most romantic...

A decade.  I've known them for a decade.  When I look back on all of the things that have happened in the last ten years...all of the places I have gone...schools I've attended...jobs I've had...it seems like forever.  But when I look at our friendships...the time has just flown by.  Back then, if someone had told me they would be married ten years later, I'm not sure that I would have believed it...but now, it makes complete sense.  Ryan (Hendo as I call him) is quite possibly one of the most hilarious individuals I have ever known.  He doesn't even need to say anything to make me smile...all he has to do is look at me and I laugh.  You know he's constantly thinking of something funny to do or say...so it's only a matter of time before it comes to life.  On the other hand, my beautiful friend Sandie (Sandra as I call her) is the sweetest friend I have ever known.  Nothing I could say would fully describe the nature of her kindness.  She is one of my absolute best friends and has been there through every turn of my life these last ten years.  She is the kind of friend who will be there no matter what.  She is loyal.  And she's one dang good baker. 

I feel completely blessed and honored to get to document their nuptials in just a few short weeks...they are so completely in love, it makes me melt to watch them.

These two are sweet.  Not just because their personalities are like sugar cookies with extra icing...but also because they are truly sweethearts.  They met in highschool and now, several years later, they are tying the knot.  They are truly devoted to each other...

(This post is a little late, because being the absolute sweetheart that she is, Mary wanted to surprise Andy with some of these engagement photos for his birthday... so I waited to post them for her...)

Ok...I know I talk about how I "love" my clients all of the time on this blog.  And, I do.  I love them.  But I especially love this couple.  Matt and I met in the first year of law school...on the first day.  He lived across the street from me.  Like, I could see if he was sitting in his livingroom from my livingroom kind of thing...really, it was only half as creepy as it sounds. 

In a way, the first day of law school is more scary than any other "first day of school" experience.  You know no one.  You are afraid of how stupid you'll look, compared to all of the other smart kids.  You are second-guessing your decision to attend.  You are wondering if you completed your homework assignment the right way (yes, you have homework before school even starts).  ANYWAY - so when I met Matt...it was an instant feeling of relief.  We had all of our classes together, could study together and could walk back and forth from school together.  He was one of my best buddies.  Since then, we have remained close (despite my being the butt of his jokes one hundred percent of the time).  So, I could not have been more excited when I met Ashley.  The first time we met, I knew she was the one for Matt.  Her beautiful smile and warm laughter were right up my alley...and she actually thought Matt's jokes were funny.  That was the key.  I am so fortunate to be blessed with friends like this couple. 

Iowa.  It plays a larger role in my life than I ever imagined.  My husband is a native Iowan...and so, I have learned to accept certain things.  Like the fact that they call parking spaces "parks"...or the fact that black and yellow can be worn as a color combo for any occasion, or no occasion at all...or that driving for hours through fields and flat land can be fun...

So, when Natalie and Travis asked me to photograph their wedding next summer at Okoboji , I was all about it.  I can't wait!  This classy couple is a blast...