“Love at first sight… wasn’t quite their case. They met at a church retreat, interacted in Bible studies, went on mission trips together, but they never thought of themselves as a potential couple.  It wasn’t until October of this past year that Steven took notice of Hayley and pursed more than a friendship.  They were leading a small group together at their church, helping people grow to love Jesus more.  Little did they know, another love was growing.  A few short weeks later, the timing was right and Steven asked Hayley out on a date.  A little nervous to cross the friendship border, he went for it.  All was going great. Until it wasn’t.

She dumped him after the 2^nd date.

Steven held onto hope that she would come around- which she did.  (Actually, it  the very next day)…and they were off at it again!  Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years passed as their love grew deeper and they realized they couldn’t imagine a future without each other.

This past March, while serving on a mission trip in Tijuana, Mexico they both realized… they had found the one.

They put the saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder” to the test.  She spent the summer in Germany, he was in Cambodia.   Seven long weeks passed, and during that time apart Steven began planning his proposal.   A few short hours (36 to be exact) after their reunion, Steven surprised her with a tandem bike ride, breakfast, and a quiet morning walk along the lake.   He then bent down on one knee, washed her feet in the lake and committed to serve her the rest of his life.  The moment they had both been dreaming of was here.  Speechless, and overwhelmed with joy- she accepted his proposal.  Their journey is just beginning, and they are enjoying every second.  They will become husband and wife this October.    Until then, enjoy a few favorites from our engagement session this weekend: