Kristen & Stephen: A Luxury Problem

Kristen & Stephen are getting married next week, June 20, 2015 and I couldn’t be more happy for them. I had the pleasure of taking their engagement photos and I have to say, as a photographer, I can only describe their photo shoot as a luxury problem… there were too many good pics to choose from!

These two! Aren’t they just so darn cute?! Kristen & Stephen are 2 really super good friends of mine (and Phil’s). It was so fun taking their pictures because they both were so natural, loving and comfortable in front of the camera. Something that I am looking forward to capturing on their wedding day.

Let me tell you about this couple. I am allowing myself the authority to gush over their personal story, something that I know more intimately after hosting Kristen’s bridal shower last week (sorry no pictures on my behalf – I was focusing too much on the actual party logistics to pick up my camera *major regret*)
Anyway, back to this special couple. Kristen and Stephen met back in 2010 while they were both on a trail crew. Guess who was the boss lady?

Yup, you got it, Kristen. Total badass. Need I say more?

Something that Kristen found out during her shower was; I asked Stephen “When was the first time you thought you could marry this girl?” Kristen was surprised by his response, Stephen said, “Right after one of the first real conversations I had with her, that was back in 2010.”

Kristen elaborated on this conversation, describing Stephens eyes as getting so big that she just got lost in them – she said it was as if they both dove right into each other’s sole during that conversation. I don’t know about you, but I find myself thinking, “What the heck were they talking about?!”

This one particularly gets me, I asked Stephen what first attracted him to Kristen, his response, “Well, there’s definitely something to be said about a girl that can single-handedly whip out a multi-tiered rock wall quicker than a team of 4 men……… but if I had to pick one thing, I would say her eyes.”

Aw! Stephen! Are you crying yet? Because I am! But seriously, isn’t Kristen a badass?!

#girlcrush

(have no idea what that #hashtag is going to do – but it look cool right?)

I asked Kristen at work the day after her shower, what was your favorite part, she said it was the one question that I asked Stephen: “What was the best vacation you two have ever had together?”

Before I read Stephen’s answers, Kristen had to answer all the questions first. For this one, Kristen talked about a trip that the two took, the trip was the essence of their relationship, fun, spontaneous and filled with adventure. But when I read Stephen’s response, it actually caught Kristen off guard.

It was a different trip Stephen was talking about, here is what Stephen said:

“Kristen was working as the outdoor program coordinator of Adam’s State University in Colorado. After my “trail crew” spent in Utah, I went to visit her for a few weeks. For thanksgiving, we drove all the way out to Joshua Tree where my mom lived. Along the way to J-tree we stopped in Red Rocks (and I even think we hit Moab too) for some climbing. That week was awesome. We would spend all day in the park climbing until it got dark, and head back to my moms to spent time with all the family that was visiting. On T-day we spend the day with family and helped cook. Very memorable trip…… even though it sucked that I couldn’t go back to colorado with K.” 

This vacation story is of particular importance because it was the first and last time Kristen met Stephen’s mom, a woman I will never have the fortune to meet, but sounded like, if there was ever a person worth knowing, it was her.  

Kristen and Stephen, you two are about to embark on one of life’s greatest journeys.

 I can’t think of anything better then spending your life with the certain special person that you love, in your case it’s Stephen. 

Cheers to you both.