Ryan and Lauren are such sweet friends. Watching them grow in friendship and love has been so wonderful! I remember standing in the RCA courtyard when Lauren told me she and Ryan had just started dating…but she wasn't sure how it would work out, since they were spending the summer and next semester beginning to date. Long distance. Well, long story short, that distance had nothing on their love. ;)

Earlier this semester, Lauren mentioned that she wanted me to shoot photos of their engagement—"whenever that happens!" She thought it would be this semester, but hadn't really much idea of the timeline. "All I want is for it to be a surprise, for Ryan to ask my dad, and for you to be there to photograph it." And thanks to some stealthy planning from Ryan and myself, and a whole lot of grace from the Lord, it went off without a hitch! Even though it was chilly, the sun came out, the Crow's Nest was empty when they arrived, and they left with huge smiles and a wedding to plan! Enjoy the 'day of' photos…part two of engagement photos to come.