My sweet friends Lauren and Stephen met me out at beautiful Lake Louisa in Clermont, Florida with their pups Bella and Boss for their adorable and absolutely beautiful engagement session.
Cocoa Beach, where it all began… growing up in the small town of Cocoa, everyone tends to know, well, everyone. Lauren and Stephen were acquaintances through their families, specifically Lauren’s brother Shaun who hung out with Stephen often. Tagging along with her brother, Lauren also became friends with Stephen. It wasn’t until a few years later, specially July of 2009, when they saw one another in a new light. Realizing they had deeper feelings for each other, which were more than just being friends, they began dating and have been together ever since – almost ten years later!
Truly best friends, the past ten years of been some of the best years of their lives. Seeing one another at each other’s best, worst, and jokingly put by Lauren “weirdest sides” has only deepened their connection even further. As they both explain, “we can truly be ourselves and are happiest when we are together. We can’t imaging our lives without each other.”
For Lauren, she fell in love and still does every day more and more, with the way Stephen can always make her laugh and how he is her “safe place.” For Stephen, he fell in love with how supporting and loving Lauren is; always thinking of ways to make him happy; she puts their relationship first.
Knowing for sometime that Lauren was the one, and always would be, Stephen decided to propose on Christmas Day this past year. Lauren’s all time favorite holiday, he knew the best gift would be a forever promise. Having talked about marriage for sometime, Stephen had told Lauren in the past that a proposal would not overlap a holiday, however this was a ruse to through her off when he did propose on Christmas. Waking up early to spend Christmas morning together and exchanging gifts before heading to Lauren’s parents home, Stephen surprised Lauren with one last gift that he “forgot” to put under the tree. Grabbing the gift, he made Lauren promise to keep her eyes closed as he “didn’t have time to wrap it” since it was a supposed last minute item he picked up. Opening up her eyes when Stephen said she could, Lauren was in complete shock to find Stephen down on one knee proposing in front of her with the most gorgeous ring. As Lauren reminisces, “it was my dream come true. We spent the rest of the day celebrating with our families and it was perfect.” Oh, and of course she said, “YES!”
Christmas and any other special time in the lives wouldn’t be the same if it didn’t include their beloved pups, Bella and Boss. Bella, the first edition to their family, was joined by Boss a year later as a surprise to Lauren. Stephen had accompanied his father to pick up a Rottweiler pup, and decided to bring one home for Lauren too. Best friends, these two were definitely hamming it up for the camera and clearly know how much they are loved by their mom and dad.
Looking forward to capturing Lauren and Stephen tie the knot this coming February at Ever After Farms!
Ps. shout out to Lauren’s parents for being the best “puppy baby sitters” during our sweethearts engagement session!
