Karen & Eric. Laguna Beach Engagements.

They first met in Junior High School. Though completely hard to believe, they both claim that in middle school they were “nerds.” They were acquaintances at most until High School came along. They hung out with the same crowds & were involved in many of the same extra-curricular activities. They slowly began to get closer, doing more things together until in Christmas in 1999, where Eric was invited to attend a Christmas mass with Karen. After the Christmas mass, Eric knew that their friendship was growing into something incredible. That next month, Eric took the leap & asked Karen to be his girlfriend. Through the years they had spent in the same circle of friends, Karen & Eric knew each other-Eric knew that Karen was fun, sweet & kind…Karen knew Eric to be giving, gracious & an amazing person. They’ve been together ever since.

After they graduated High School, they stayed together despite the fact they lived long distance. They literally have spent the past TWELVE YEARS with endless phone conversations, airport goodbyes, emails & once a month visits. They have learned to base their love on foundations of patience, trust & honesty…and it’s these things that have helped them to overcome the challenges of being a long distance couple. Lucy for them, in just a few months, they are getting married & will be saying goodbye to their once a month trips to see each other-and they will be saying hello to being in the same city, in the same home for forever. I am so, SO excited for their big day-I know that their wedding will be nothing short of perfection.

I was lucky enough to fly down to Laguna Beach for the day for their engagements. We had a great time (I’ve never been to Laguna Beach!) together-it was a great chance for me to get to know Karen & Eric…we enjoyed a fabulous lunch & the most amazing gelato of my life as we spent a few hours shooting in an incredible, perfect location with two people who are still head over heels with each other. Here are my favorites from their fun shoot…

I’m literally obsessed with this one…