On Friday, I had the pleasure of meeting Brynden and Jack on the picturesque campus of the University of Missouri. They are such a delightful pair with infectious smiles, joyous laughter, and an undeniable connection! Brynden and Jack effortlessly stole the show during their engagement session!
It was a hot summer evening, but the session flew by with such a fun pair! We ventured back to Brynden’s old stomping grounds at the University of Missouri. The beautifully landscaped campus provided the perfect backdrop to showcase their deep affection for each other. It was evident from the start that their chemistry was something truly special! Their love radiated through every pose and glance, leaving me in awe of their bond.
Brynden and Jack wanted their engagement session to be a reflection of their unique relationship. To celebrate their love story, we incorporated Shakespeare’s Pizza, a beloved spot in Columbia. They playfully fed each other and shared laughter and giggles as they indulged in pizza. It was a joy to capture these candid moments that showcased their easy going personalities.
Continuing our adventure, we made our way to Bonnie View Sanctuary in Columbia, where the golden hour light added a touch of enchantment to the scene. The field was alive with vibrant wildflowers, perfectly complementing the love that blossomed between Brynden and Jack. As the sun cast its warm glow upon them, we documented their pure happiness. To celebrate this milestone in their journey, they popped open a bottle of champagne, clinking their glasses and toasting to a lifetime of love and shared adventures!
Throughout the session, it became evident just how fun-loving and vibrant Brynden and Jack truly are. Their enthusiasm was contagious, creating an atmosphere filled with laughter and a sense of carefree joy. As a photographer, I enjoyed witnessing their effortless connection and capturing the essence of their relationship through the lens.
How They Met
Brynden and Jack met in June 2017 through our friends Molly and Jarid, at their housewarming party! A few weeks earlier, Brynden had jokingly said that they should find someone for her. Molly said she had someone in mind! Jack was visting from out of town for the same house warming party. Molly awkwardly pulled Brynden and Jack together and said “Jack, this is Brynden. Brynden, this is Jack!” She stood there with hope in her eyes as if it were a fairy tale. Brynden and Jack said hi and walked away. Later on that night, they actually ended up talking and the rest is history!
Shortly after meeting, the two would share a first date on July 8 at Boston’s first annual Pizza Fest! Jack was coming into town for a friend’s going away party and asked Brynden if she would like to meet up. Brynden was determined to go to Pizza Fest, so she told Jack he could go with her. Jack remembers thinking that Brynden was probably secretly hoping he would say no. But being a guy who loves pizza, he naturally said, “yes!” Brynden remember being so nervous, but as they ate a lot of really hot pizza on a really hot day in the sun, they had a great time. Brynden and Jack ended up getting a drink afterwards and bonded over a bunch of things, like how important family was to both of them. Afterwards, they met up with some of Jack’s friends (and their friends who introduced them). What Brynden thought would just be an hour or two at Pizza Fest ended up being the rest of the day. It’s been love and pizza ever since.
Brynden doesn’t think there was necessarily one specific moment that let her know Jack was “The one,” but it always just made sense and felt good. She remembers initially liking Jack because he made these really terrible but funny jokes and he seemed intentional, it was clear he was interested and wanted to talk to Brynden. There weren’t any games, like so much of dating is anymore. The rest of their relationship has been like that.
Jack is the happiest person Brynden knows and he makes everyone around him comfortable and happy! She’s always felt comfortable and safe around him and Brynden can truly be herself and Jack loves that person. It hasn’t always been easy (they did 2 years long distance and made it through covid together) but it always was just so easy and natural. It just kept making sense and getting better. Brynden can’t imagine hanging out with anyone else the rest of her life! For Jack, around year three of them dating, he texted his cousin from a friend’s wedding saying “I’m 99% certain I am going to marry Brynden.” This notion was solidified over the next few years through conversations about their future and Jack says he and Brynden are happier than clams in water!
How He Asked
Every year at Christmas, Brynden and Jack celebrate together before spending time with their families. They go to one of their favorite restaurants and exchange 1 gift (this year they agreed it would be small). That day, their friends had invited them to go to the Fenway Bowl game, and Jack did not want to go, which Brynden thought was so weird because he is Mr. Social. Brynden insisted on going and insisted on going out to a late lunch, and insisted on running some holiday errands. They got home about an hour before dinner, and Brynden was cold and tired, so she decided to take a quick nap.
Jack kept telling her to get ready, but Brynden kept saying she had plenty of time. She managed to get ready in time for dinner, and they a great meal (Semolina’s in Medford, MA). After dinner, they came home and took their annual Christmas photo and then sat down to exchange gifts. Jack handed her a box about the size of a clothing box and when Brynden opened it, there was a ring box. Her heart stopped and she instantly blanked. Brynden kept asking “what is this, is this real, who is this for??!!” Jack panicked and said “You know what this is!!” Eventually, Jack asked Brynden to marry him and she said YES! After lots of tears, pictures, and phone calls, Jack finally opened his Christmas present. It was an electric handwarmer *facepalm*. One super special moment happened the next morning, when Jack’s mom, brother and sister drove in. His siblings knew they were engaged but his mom didn’t. Getting to surprise her and see the look on her face when they told her was something Brynden and Jack will never forget! Jack: “She did her damnedest to ruin the moment at every turn and I barely kept it together.”
I’m so excited to have these two back in front of my camera for their wedding day! You’ll find me counting down the day until their sweet I do’s!
