Zoie and Alex have one of my favorite love stories I’ve every had the pleasure of documenting. Alex is overcome with admiration for his girl and gushed about her for his entire love story. (all of my clients write their love story for me). Here it is:
Alex was an intern for a non-profit organization that helps advocate for those with disabilities become more seamlessly involved in social settings while living on their own. Zoie’s mom Laurel is an employee there ever since Zoie’s older sister Melina started living there. Laurel set up a meeting with Alex and Zoie to work on a project together. This was the first time Zoie and Alex would meet.
Zoie walked in bundled up in a puffy black winter coat and her hair high in a ponytail. Alex remembers this moment perfectly because it’s the first moment he laid eyes on his future wife. As soon as Zoie saw Alex she was in shock. “If I had known how gorgeous this guy was, I definitely would have met with him sooner”. Their meeting was short and they said goodbye. It didn’t look like their paths would cross again anytime soon. But they both hoped they would.
Fast forward from their first meeting, Zoie’s older sister and her boyfriend were trying to set Alex and Zoie up on a date. They both asked Alex if he would escort them to a baseball game. Later, without him knowing, Melina invited Zoie to join her for an evening baseball game. Neither of them knew each other would be there.
When Zoie walked in to pick them up she found flowers with the roots still attached with a note that read “From Alex”. She was laughing just as Alex walked in the kitchen and they both figured out what was going on. The night felt like it passed by in 15 minutes. Before they knew it they were both walking home from their first date. A friendship had begun blossoming between them that turned into a relationship shortly after.
Fast forward another few years. Alex and Zoie were up north enjoying a hike in Northern Michigan. When they reached the top of the hill Alex planned on proposing on, he found himself completely out of breath and a bit nervous. While Zoie was taking photos of the breath taking Lake Michigan view, Alex recomposed himself. He grabbed Zoie, told her he loved her and asked her to be his wife. She was completely surprised and overcome with emotion as she said yes.
We photographed Zoie and Alex’s Grand Rapids Engagement Session snuggled with their two cats before we headed outside to catch gorgeous soft light. Everything here was shot on film. Enjoy!
