It was her first day at a new school. It was his first day, too. Second grade. A big year in the life of a student. Cursive. Subtraction with borrowing and carrying. It’s not first grade anymore, that’s for sure! The principal had a policy for new students on the first day: a visit to his office, as a group, to meet him, each other, and feel welcomed. Little Lauren changed school’s that year. Little Jonathan’s family moved home from Paris, The City of Love. A coincidence? Maybe, but we don’t think so. It wasn’t the sandbox, like Corey and Topanga, but it was sitcom-worthy meet-cute for sure. It was second grade when Lauren and Jonathan met for the first time, and although it might not have been love at first second grade sight, it was the start of their love story nonetheless.
From second grade until graduation night 11 years later, Lauren and Jonathan became better and better friends, until fate’s twisted road sent him to college in the Midwest and her to a university in the South. For the first time since they were seven, they were apart. They stayed in touch, though, during those college years, with an occasional visit back and forth see each other. And, four years later, when a graduation came (again), Lauren left for a job in Miami and Jonathan stayed in Indiana.
He had feelings for her. He had for a long time, since high school. And now she was moving away. Again.
They talked on the phone while Lauren was in Miami, and she missed him. Really, really missed him. “There was something about him that was so genuinely loyal, honest, and good, and our time together was also some of the most fun I had ever had. Being on my own in a strange city allowed me to realize how important he was to me, and that I never wanted to be apart again,” she said.
So, he moved. Just like that. Two months into her time in the Sunshine State, he packed his bags and went to be close to her, so that’d she’d never be alone again. The love story was almost complete, but not quite. Over the Fourth of July, Lauren and Jonathan were both back in Indiana visiting home. He took her on a late-night stroll of his college campus, to a gazebo that — legend has it — a man can kiss the love of his life at midnight and be guaranteed to be together forever. Thus, in a scene reminiscent of The Sound of Music, he walked her to that very spot, told he that he’d waited his entire life for that moment, held her, made a promise to love and protect her unconditionally for the rest of their life together, and then sealed it with a kiss.
Lauren and Jonathan, we loved your love story the first time we heard it, and we loved seeing your love at our engagement shoot with you! We’re so excited for your Montelucia wedding next fall and can’t wait to document the next chapter in your life together!
the GEAR USED for this SESSION…
Canon 50 1.2
Canon 70-200 2.8
Canon 5D Mark III
Entire Gear List
