You would never guess we are nearing fall based on the summer temperatures we’ve been experiencing this week! We met Katelyn and Collin at Capen Park in Columbia, Missouri for a very hot evening. Though the temperatures were rather warm, you can see that fall is just around the corner as the leaves are beginning to show hints of yellow! Hand in hand, Katelyn and Collin brought their A game with their genuine and infectious smiles! We kept telling them that they must have been practicing at home before the session, because anything we asked them to do, they did so effortlessly! When Katelyn and Collin are together, they truly shine! It’s so apparent just how full of life and love these two are! Their love is vibrant and real, and we absolutely loved documenting their sweet connection as we wandered around Capen Park together. They were so bold to wear flannel and sweaters in 92 degree weather! We think it was well worth it, because you cannot tell by looking at the images that temperatures were uncomfortably hot.
Next, we ventured to downtown Columbia where we encountered more hustle and bustle! Though we were surrounded by more traffic and people passing by, it’s as if time stood still. Out of focus, eye to eye, Katelyn and Collin were lost in each other! With camera in hand, we love when we get to follow two people around who are madly in love! It’s such a sweet season to witness couples when they are engaged. Katelyn and Collin are no exception; the overflowing love they share for one another makes the captured portraits truly come to life! Katelyn and Collin’s love shined as we chased the beautifully lit summer golden hour. They laughed, danced, and giggled through the warmth of the evening and the outcome is truly magical! We ended our time with Katelyn and Collin at a truly special location. We went to Flat Branch Pub & Brewing, where it all began for this darling duo! Romance sparked just a few years ago between Katelyn and Collin, so it only made sense to conclude the session here!
Their Love Story
Katelyn’s Story: “Collin and I had our first date at Flat Branch in Columbia, Missouri. It was on Wednesday, October 25th, 2017 and we met for lunch in between classes. I was a little skeptical at first about it being a lunch date and not a romantic dinner date but it ended up being perfect! It wasn’t awkward at all and the conversation just came so naturally. I remember parking my car farther down the street in the hopes that after lunch he would walk me to my car-and he did! He made some jokes about me parking so far away and being bad at parallel parking but little did he know it was my plan all along. I made a bold move and texted him just a couple hours after our lunch asking if he had plans that night (I have never been the most patient) and we had our “second date” that very same day. I met him at his place and we watched Halloween movies and made plans on what couples costume we would wear downtown the upcoming weekend. (Needless to say we knew from that day that we would be spending a lot of time together).”
Collins Story: “We had our first date at Flat Branch. We met over lunch since I was pretty busy between working full time and going to school full time. As we sat there and talked we were really connecting and talking was easy. I didn’t feel nervous after the first few minutes. Even after we ate we still sat and talked for a long time. I had to go to class but I walked her to her car and made it clear that this would definitely be happening again. A couple hours later I got a text from Katelyn asking if I was free that night. From that moment on I never had any doubts that we would be seeing a lot of each other.”
Both Katelyn and Collin realized early on in the relationship that they had found the one! Just two months into the relationship, Collin met Katelyn’s family during her graduation dinner. He didn’t just meet her mom and dad that night… he met the entire crew. After meeting her family and everyone talking and laughing at dinner, Katelyn could easily see Collin as part of the family from that moment on. They hadn’t even uttered their I Love You’s to one another at this point. All Katelyn knew was that Collin was the perfect man for her. For Collin, it was in the spring when he realized he had found his dream girl! They went on a walk down the Katy Trail. They came up around a pond and sat down on a bench for a long time. The two of them just sat there laughing and having a great time. In that moment Collin looked at Katelyn and just knew he would love her forever!
How He Asked
Katelyn had been anxiously waiting for a proposal from Collin and the time had finally come! For about a year, she would always ask him when he would propose, she often even gave him “subtle” hints. They even went ring shopping in February this year but Collin convinced Katelyn that it wouldn’t be until after he graduated. Needless to say, Katelyn did not see it coming whatsoever, even though she jokingly asked him THE DAY BEFORE HE PROPOSED, “When you are you going to propose to me?” Little did she know, Collin had purchased the engagement ring back in March after they went ring shopping together. He had a plan in mind for the proposal, a ring purchased, and he even asked her dad for permission!
So heres the story: Collin and Katelyn were going to Nashville, Tennessee to celebrate Collin’s Birthday which is on July 5th. They stopped in St Louis a couple days before hand so that they could celebrate Independence Day with Katelyn’s parents. Collin’s brother, Cody, and his fiancée, Ciara, were going to meet them in St Louis on Friday morning so that they could all head to Nashville together. Cody & Ciara said that they wanted to go up in the arch and take pictures before heading to Nashville. Katelyn honestly was not too crazy about the idea of going up in the arch as she is not too keen on those tiny elevators. Collin and Katelyn’s mom spent the morning telling her it would be fun and convinced Katelyn to wear something cute. You would think she might have caught on by this point, but she didn’t. Katelyn wasn’t too thrilled about dressing up and complained about having to wear something cute for a six hour car ride.
When they got down to the arch, they realized that there was a festival of some sorts going on around the base. They found the perfect little spot down by a little lake with a great view of the arch. Ciara and Cody had Collin and Katelyn pose for some pictures just before Collin knelt down on one knee! Collin was excited but also really nervous. He knew Katelyn would say yes of course, but in that moment he remembers so many thoughts running through his head. As Collin was kneeling there, He said, “You know what I want for my birthday? You for the rest of my life!” That’s quite the proposal if you ask me! I mean, how romantic and special! Katelyn and Collin spent their weekend in Nashville celebrating with Collin’s brothers and on the way home from the trip, they stopped in St. Louis to celebrate with all of Katelyn’s family.
Congratulations Katelyn and Collin! Strolling around Columbia and getting to know you both while documenting your undeniable connection was the highlight of our evening! We are counting down the days until your spring wedding day at Emerson Fields! Enjoy some of our favorites from the evening! Many more to come.
