Andre + Annah | Engagement at Desert Botannical Gardens

They laughed, they hugged, and then he took her to get margaritas. 

It was the perfect engagement session with Annah and Andre. This couple truly knows each other and they have so much fun together. I loved hearing how they told their story about meeting, falling in love, and special moments together. I cannot wait for their beautiful wedding day!

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"There are so many moments where I think back and say, man that is when I knew I loved her. I would have to say It was before our one year anniversary (dating) and I had been talking to my mom about her and my mom already loved her. I told her I wanted to do something fun for our 1 year. My mom bought us tickets for the day to fly out to San Diego to go sailing for a few hours. I didn't want to tell Annah what was planned so I just had told her to pack a day bag with some cute stuff. Then blindfolded her. We got to the airport, by then I had to tell her. So as we were waiting for the plane, we were talking, laughing and being silly by sticking out our tongues at each other. In those few minutes I realized that I have a women who is going to go on a trip with me, who is sharing my interests, and is as much of a dork as I am..... I am in love. Because true love is finding someone who you can truly be yourself around." - Andre

"We first met in biology lab during Freshman year of undergrad at ASU. We were in different lab groups, but during one project we were both gathering supplies when he casually walked by behind me and said "I like your hair", then continued to walk away. We never really spoke much after that, though I remember checking him out every once and a while. We found out later that we were both seeing other people at the time, so we weren't really attempting to pursue one-another. The next semester I had my own apartment (I had originally been in the dorms freshman year). I was shopping at Safeway for ingredients for dinner at my housewarming party when I ran into him. He was a barista at the Starbucks. I said hello and asked how he was and talked for a moment, then continued towards the checkout. I was too shy to ask him to come to the party, but then my friend who was with me convinced me to double back and pretend I had to get ice cream so that I could walk by him again and ask him to come over. I  gave him my number and then awkwardly asked if he even remembered what my name was. He didn't remember so we re-introduced ourselves. He ended up coming to the housewarming party (alone - didn't even bring a friend for support!). He made the excuse that since I had cooked dinner I should come over to his place and he'd cook dinner for me. Later that week I went over to his place and met his friends and roommates. He pretended that he had made chicken fettuccine alfredo, when actually it was his friend that made it!! He was just trying to try to impress me."- Annah

"My favorite trip was when we first went to Santa Barbara together. We've visited there a few times, and now have a favorite hotel that we stay at, the Casa Del Mar. It's a tiny bed and breakfast, but they have free wine and cheese each evening and allow dogs (we've taken Andre's dog, Ginger, with us before). While there we explored the beach together and walked to some local restaurants. We even took a nap on the beach together after our wine and cheese hour one day. They had a small hot tub that we had to ourselves to relax in as well. It wasn't a grand adventure, but a nice intimate escape trip for the both of us. "- Annah

I would have to say the proudest moment would be when Annah graduated. It was of this year(2014). It was a very emotional day,everything that she had been working for finally coming to a finish.The past 4 years of being states apart, the long day and nights for her, I know I couldn't of done what she did.(Side story, my mom always had told me I need to be there for her no matter what. Times where I would want to visit her for the weekend but I thought it would be to short of a trip, my mom would tell me, "Annah is the most important thing in your life and in your future." When I went to go to Annah's graduation that weekend my mother was on her death bed, but I knew that if she was able to talk she would of yelled at me that I was not with in Iowa for her graduation. She did pass away later the same day"

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Charles + Cindy | Engagement Session

Even though I know they ended up together, (hello they are getting married in May!) as I read the story of how Charles and Cindy fell in love I couldn't help but root them on and feel so excited as their amazing friendship blossomed into a soon to be marriage. 

Meet Charles & Cindy... 

 Charles and I have been friends since Junior year of high school, and even through college and the years to follow we remained close friends. We were those kind of friends that would go 6 months to a year without speaking, years without seeing each other, only catch up over phone calls that would last hours, and feel as though no time had passed at all. We talked about life, family, work, relationships.... we knew everything about each other, and were always there for each other. I always knew there was something special about him. Long before I could consciously recognize it, there was a desire just to be near him, in his presence. There was a connection between us I couldn't put my finger on.  We were always 'just friends' until I came to visit him in Arizona a few times (I lived in Oregon at the time) . I distinctly remember after he dropped me off at the airport following one of my visits, I called my sister or my mom (or both?!) and told them that the the next time I came to Arizona, Charles and I would be TOGETHER, together...not friends...more!  About three months later, I came out to visit again. He drove up at the airport, got out of the truck, and gave me a hug. It was THAT instant. I knew. I'd be with this man for the rest of my life. With no words spoken about it, I think we both felt it. 

In the truck, he held my hand and I knew 'this' would be forever. That night, now more than 5 years ago, we shared our first kiss. Magical. I know it sounds sappy, but its true! It was 10 years in the making. 10 years of friendship, 10 years of foundation for a phenomenal relationship that had just begun. 15 years after meeting him, I am about  to marry the most amazing man I have ever met!!

For their engagement session, we went to the exact spot where Charles proposed... 

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It was Valentines Day, and I was completely clueless until just before he proposed... he really did a great job! He told me the night before that he wanted to mountain bike early in the morning before work and asked if I would drive him to the top. It is a normal occurrence for me to shuttle him and friends to the top of South Mountain on the weekends so they could downhill bike down. But this was the middle of the week, you see, so I should have seen it coming. I didn't... he was so calm and convincing. He didn't make a big deal of it... no early morning clients and just a quick ride before work, he'd said. 

On the ride up I was confused about the timing and his work, and how he would get down fast enough to get there in time. But...I figured he had it handled, and didn't think too much about it. We got to the top of South Mountain with his friend (who Charles got to come along so it was more convincing) and they both got out and started putting their riding gear on. This ruse was fully acted out until the last moments. It was still dark and I was standing outside looking out over the beautiful city lights of Phoenix. He suggested we walk over to the lookout point with a little bench. I happily agreed, still oblivious.  But as we walked over, I was starting to wonder... never in 4 years had he suggested we "go over to the look-out bench"... that's when I began to realize what might be happening.  We stood there quietly chatting about the view for a few moments and then, calm and cool as ever, he started talking about our life together and our future together. When he pulled out the ring I was ecstatic. Of course the answer was YEESSSS!!!!  It was still pretty dark, and next thing out of my mouth was "don't drop it!!!"  We had a laugh, hugged and kissed, and lingered a little while at the top as the sun was rising.  It was perfect. :)

"High school chemistry class was the first time I noticed her. Not only was she attractive, but intelligent enough to do my chemistry homework. Our friendship continued well after high school. A trip to Boston was my first indication that we would be good together. It was the summation of the time together that weekend that lead me to know that something could happen. When I saw her next in ARizona was confirmation."

"I'm looking forward to continuing to build our life together that we have been planning and continuing to support Cindy in her endeavors."

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Ryan + Sarah | Del Mar Engagement Session

When I first met Sarah and Ryan, I knew we were going to hit it off. Sarah is so much fun, laid back and I feel like we could talk for hours while getting a pedi. Ryan reminds me of my own hubby, always cracking jokes that are actually funny. No seriously he's really funny and makes every situation a laughing matter. 

 Taking their engagement photos was like a dream. 

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Not only are they both ridiculously good looking and super cute together as a couple, but they decided they wanted to do their shoot around the same location they will be getting married in Del Mar California. 

I have to admit, I had "plain ole San Diego" in my head when I was researching the area before making the drive. It wasn't until I got there that I realized what a gem this ocean city was and why they had picked it! The landscape is so diverse, it has the ocean and beaches and green, but it also has really colorful cliffs, train tracks and this may sound weird but its just really clean! The perfect place for photos! Not only that but this is a really special area to both of them as both of their families have been vacationing to these beaches for years. 

I love their story! They have known each other since high school and through thick and thin they have made it through together as one.

 

Umm isn't she just gorgeous?

 

Congrats to you Ryan and Sarah! Can't wait for your equally gorgeous wedding next year! 

See more and book your session today at: www.jenn-wagner.com