The fog was unreal.  The sky and the earth seemed to be steaming.  My husband Steve and I packed into Abbey and John’s car to ride to South Haven where they had both spent their summers growing up.  I knew even before we started the engagement session that this day would be special.  What I didn’t know was how much I would come to respect and support this couple.

Abbey and John have it.  That selfless love that everyone seeks.  That compassion and gentleness you show the one you’re going to spend the rest of your life with.  They make each other comfortable; they make each other laugh; they make each other feel loved.  But most of all, they love the Lord more than each other and that, I think, makes all the difference. 

We spent a lot of time in the car together driving to South Haven so we got to know each other quite well.  I asked them each what they loved about each other and what they were most excited about to be married.  Their answers sum them up entirely.  

When I asked John what he loved most about Abbey he said,  "She is so passionate about the things that she does.  She’s excited about what I’m doing and pushes me to be a better person.  There are people in your life who you know can encourage you and bring out the things you are most excited about.  And I’m looking forward to being excited about what I’m doing and what I’m doing for the Lord for the rest of my life.  Also, she’s a boss skier and a snowboarder, and she likes to hike, AND she’s super good at sewing….she’s just the whole package!"

I turned to Abbey and she laughed,  "I don’t even know where to start."  But the first thing out of her mouth was her admiration for John’s faith.  She said, "John does such a great job at sharing his faith in genuine ways.  He is bold in the most caring way when he talks about his faith and the things that he is passionate about.  It’s true to him so it comes off naturally, and that is something I really admire."

"And, I think it’s awesome that we have so many things in common.  But what I think is even better is that those things that we don’t have in common, he still really values and respects about me.  Like my interests have either become his interests or he invests in them because he thinks it’s cool that I sew or he wants to learn Spanish.  That’s a quality that is unique to John and our relationship and I’m just really thankful for that. "

I was semi-secretly recording them in the backseat ( :) ) so these answers are entirely in their own words.  I’m smiling ear-to-ear even as I write this because I’m so honored to have a part in the wedding day of such an intentional couple.  Abbey and John, thanks for including me in your relationship.  I can’t wait for you to be married!

Location: South Haven

Flower Crown: Mayden Photography