Paige and Tommy are just the sweetest, and I’m sharing their Chicago engagement session today!

These two connected with me back in February after searching online for photos of their venue… How cool is that?! They found me through a boho wedding I photographed at Ravina on the Lakes last November, and everything the story started to unfold from there. I LOVE IT!

This couple met in college and dated for a short time before taking a break when Paige moved to Arizona for four years. While she was states away, these two kept in touch as friends and saw each other a few times when she visited home. And then when Paige came back to Illinois during the summer of 2014, they went on one date and started dating immediately before she went away again to North Carolina for a teaching job. After one semester of long distance dating, Paige moved back to Illinois, and the two of them started their life together in Chicago. I love their love story because it truly shows that our own stories are not in our hands and life absolutely unfolds in ways we don’t expect. These two were willing to experience a long distance relationship for several months before finally being in the same place together, Chicago. Now, Tommy is a chef in Chicagoland, and Paige is a teacher not too far from where they live. Oh, and of course I can’t forget their little pup, Rodney! Gosh, I love these two and their story.

At the end of this past January, Tommy proposed to Paige. And he was so thoughtful in asking his sister, a photographer, and brother-in-law with video to document the special moment in their life together! How beautiful! Of course, I LOVED seeing these photos when Paige and Tommy first shared their love story with me. I also loved that Tommy arranged for their families to meet them at a restaurant after the proposal to celebrate. My mushy, sappy heart could barely take it!

In the past few months, it has been a joy to get to know these two through their wedding plans and vision for their engagement session. They share a romantic, boho style which I am smitten by! So, of course, we incorporated those elements into their session! I loved starting their session at their apartment near the Logan Square area in Chicago (wait until you see Paige’s home decor style —- LOVE) before moving to the Lincoln Park Nature Boardwalk and Chicago skyline.

I love being around these two because you can so easily tell that loving each other and being together are the best feelings they have ever felt in their lives. They are sweet, romantic, and share so much love for one another and their passions in life.

Without further delay, say hello to one of my 2018 couples, Paige + Tommy!