It was a holiday, not sure which one or how long ago, but all the family was gathered. It was a normal sort of holiday dinner with my family…. laughter, some sports game on, people coming and going, and my mom shuffling around the kitchen. Uncles were talking and laughing, aunts and grandmas were catching up on the latest family gossip, and we were all about to sit down for the meal. It was right around the time when everyone had found their seats that my cousin Erin came in the front door, just in time for dinner. Only she wasn’t alone…. a tall Japanese guy followed and they both sat down.
Silence.
Eyes moved back and forth between the family, silently inquiring who this person was. Erin shuffled her chair forward toward the table, put her napkin in her lap and began serving herself dinner when she realized we were all looking at her. She giggled her signature laugh and said, “Oh. Everyone, this is Wayne. Wayne, this is everyone.” Still needing some questions answered, we all welcomed him and continued to serve dinner around the table. This was our introduction to… Wayne. Since that day, on what feels like 10 years ago, Wayne has been a part of the family. Their relationship was ambiguous at first, to the family, and to themselves I suppose. But each time Erin and Wayne walked through the front door for family dinner, they seemed to be a little closer than the last time. And it was only when we sat down to start wedding planning that I actually got the full story of how they met and fell in love.
Their story is a tortoise of a story… slow and steady and strong and thought out. While most Christian college students race to find their soul mate and receive that coveted “ring by spring”, these two knew that slow and steady would win the race of love. They met at church and became fast friends. Over the years they became not just church friends, but study partners as Erin was finishing her bachelors at Biola University and Wayne was finishing seminary at Fuller in Pasadena. Somehow they ended up spending entire weekends together where they talked, laughed, studied, watched movies, and attended church. Then came the mysterious kiss that neither one of them initiated… it just happened. Like magic, or… like a higher power was more involved in this aspect of their lives than either anticipated. There was a spark that ignited a fire and what once was just a close friendship turned into a deep loving relationship grounded in Christ. In my opinion, there’s nothing more sacred on earth than that.
To say I feel honored to be asked to photograph their wedding is definitely an understatement, and I love how much closer we’ve gotten since spending more time together these past few months. I’m so proud of the way these two have approached this time of engagement, how they’ve grown as individuals and as a couple, and how they’ve made the people they love their priority in every decision. They ROCKED this engagement shoot and I’m so excited to share it with you all….
Erin and Wayne, I’m so proud of you guys. You rocked this engagement shoot and I’m so excited for your wedding day in June! It’s going to be such a great day!
