Mike + Hannah | Charlottesville, VA Engagement

"he feels like he's been there for hours,  and i can tell that he'll be there for life." adele She is a few years younger, and her immediate pit-crew of friends agreed: Mike is a dreamboat.  He was the standard, ("I want someone like Mike.") but obviously he wasn't a realistic future option.  In the same way being the next Rolling Stones big-star isn't a realistic career option.  Funny thing about those shot-in-the-dark dreams: sometimes they happen.  Unbeknownst to Young Hannah G, Mike thought she was the standard of smart, engaging, kind and lovely.  But she was young, and that's weird, and... and.  Funny thing about time and strolling into your twenties: age blends away a bit, like the spread of watercolor paints.  After years of secret mutual pining, travel, school, career and growing-into-themselves Hannah and Mike reconnected.  And at their first date, in a downtown diner, they talked until closing and came alive together, both knowing without a doubt that they were never parting ways. These two are last-Adele-chorus hot.  The day we did this session was over 100 degrees and 80 percent humidity (steamy).  I joked with them that it's too bad they aren't into each other.  "Sorry if we kiss too much," as they'd go at it again.  It's special when people with so much outward obsession are more marked, more noticeable by their deep friendship.  Throughout our shoot we paused to talked multiple times, getting carried off by conversation.  They invited me to have guacamole and tacos before I headed home where they both asked me questions, shared their life passions and laughed.   Their hearts are big, and friendship-centered view of their future is delightful and serious.  They felt more like "a sweet old married couple" in the way they eased in and out of taking turns talking and communicating 'as a couple.'  It was refreshing (and made me want to call my husband just to talk the whole ride home!)  I am grateful for the cool things in life like passion, connection, long talks, lips, effort, favorite Mexican places, stories of old, and red nail polish. God lit up my week when I got to meet you two!  Next up: their wedding! (I had tears streaming down my face during the ceremony.  Not "tearing up," but actual tear stains through my foundation.) "I could hold you for a million years  to make you feel my love."

Ica + Tim | Sterling, VA Engagement Shoot

it's time to begin, 

isn't it?

imagine dragons - it's time

I'll never forget the first time Ica whipped her mini-self into my world.   It was my first summer of having "internships" and I was still teen-age. Nineteen.   I was a little frazzled, my room was a little a mess, and Ica was a little a late.  The other girls, dressed adorably, sat quietly and properly on wooden kitchen chairs in my bedroom-slash-office.  We were all waiting on Ica.  And she arrived with flair.  "WAAAAAH! KRISTEN LEEEEEIGH!" [*jumping jumping jumping*] She had wild highlights in her hair, jewelry was her side-kick and she couldn't stand still.  She was the best-dressed of us all, surprisingly not the shortest, and very, very loud.   She came bearing gifts (head-bands she knit herself) and a heart full of love.  She's a bottle rocket with fire in her eyes and cupcakes in her hugs.  She was the heart-beat of the group and a never-ending source of positive affirmation, praise and compliments.  I envied (in a "good" way) her way of confidently, quickly and easily showing love and making strangers feel like you're her dearest friend.

Over a deck-lunch of my mom's taco salad, us four girls chatted about those things brand-new girl-acquaintances talk about: future plans and boys.  Ica was the oldest of the crew, and also the only one with a boyfriend.  "Yeeees. His name is Tiiim. Tim Remo. Supremo Remo! Hahaha! He's fun."  I had already looked through all of her vibrant and carefree profile pictures.  And I knew that there was a "he" in her world.  A "he" who would look take her to art galleries and write sweet things in comments about her.  I think we all knew she'd marry that Tim-kid someday.

Over the last four years, I've watched from the cheap-seats while Ica and Tim grew up, stepped up and became inseparable.  I love when I get to know couples who are able to maintain giddy-infatuation after they have walked through serious testing.  I don't mind tooth-ache-sweet couples when they've proven themselves.  Ica and Tim have stood the test of time.  In fact, I remember talking with a friend at one point and even saying "If those two don't make it, I don't know if I believe in true love anymore!" ;)  Thank you Jesus for making a goofy, determined, happy, kid-loving, large-hearted, gifted Tim to team up with the darling, fiery, dedicated, creative Ica-lady. 

Sweet friend, your wedding day will be a day of great rejoicing.  Long-awaited, much-anticipated and like a giant hand-made gift wrapped in velvet bows - a gift, a celebration and a party! 

I couldn't shut-up about their facial expressions. SO MUCH MOVEMENT.    Both of them.  Always.  Constantly making new faces. 

Their energy is maddening.  And stunning.

Aw, so stoic, Tim.

With all my heart,

Kristen-the-messy-and-so-happy-to-have-met-you