We met with Natalie and Johnny on a very hot evening earlier this week for their engagement session. These two came dressed to impress and even brought their handsome dog Milo along for the session. After just a bit of bribing, Milo was sitting pretty for the photos and behaved so well! Despite the temperatures being extremely warm, Natalie and Johnny did a fantastic job. No matter what we asked of them, they did so with a smile on their faces. We enjoyed our evening spent with these two love birds! By the end of the session, they were completely warmed up to the camera and laughing a lot. We ended the session on a high note as we ventured downtown where we chased the gorgeous golden light until it faded beyond the horizon. These two were such troopers to deal with such extreme temperatures and humidity, but they did so with ease.
Their Love Story
Johnny and Natalie met when they were both in college. He was a junior at Missouri S&T while Natalie was a sophomore at Lincoln University. While attending Lincoln, Natalie met one of her best friends, Megan. She asked Natalie if she was looking to date anyone because she had someone in mind. At the time, Natalie had kind of given up on looking for someone, so she was a little reluctant. However, as any normal woman would do, Natalie stalked his Facebook page for more information. Of course, she was intrigued right away. She was immediately impressed that Johnny had a photoshopped picture of himself surrounded by lava as his profile picture. Natalie agreed to meet him and Megan gave her his number.
Little did Natalie know, Johnny was also kind of at a stand still in the dating world. Natalie felt the connection just through their text messages so she knew she had to meet him. Megan and Natalie made the trip up to Rolla to meet her boyfriend and Johnny. As the girls walked into the guys apartment, Natalie remembers her stomach starting to knot and her hands instantly started to feel clammy. Johnny walked into the living room and Natalie knew he was something special when their eyes first met. They hit it off right away.
Their first official date was a while later, but they did go on a group date the first night they met. Natalie recalls that night being one of her favorite memories. Johnny was in an improv group in college and he had a show that night. She got her first look at how funny he was that night. After his show, they went on a group date to Colton’s Steakhouse with Megan and his roommates. They sat next to each other and Natalie could feel the nervous energy coming off him. She was very nervous too. She couldn’t get over how cute he was either. When the waitress asked about checks, he mentioned that they would be paying separate. The table was quiet until the waitress walked away. Johnny’s friends started to give so much grief for him not paying for her meal. Natalie didn’t think anything of it, she was just happy to be there with Johnny. His friends still give him grief to this day.
How He Asked
Natalie and Johnny got engaged in New York City. Johnny’s brother was graduating from the Merchant Marine Academy in King’s Point, New York. One night the school threw a celebration for the graduates by inviting their families on a cruise around Manhattan. It was Natalie’s first time visiting New York, so she was excited to see the sights and spend time with Johnny and his family. It was such a beautiful evening. They spent a lot of time on deck watching the city pass them by and imagining what it would be like to live in a city that big.
As the ship was turning around to head back, they passed the Statue of Liberty. It was dark out at this time so it lit up the night sky. It was beautiful! A crowd started to form around the two to soak in the view, but all Natalie could feel was Johnny’s arms around her. The next thing she knew, Johnny was down on one knee. He asked her to marry him as they passed the Statue of Liberty. It was the perfect moment! Natalie just remembers his mother shouting, “What? I missed it!” There was a guy behind them that said, “Don’t worry, I witnessed the whole thing.” Natalie couldn’t wipe the smile off her face the rest of the evening. She actually gave the ring back to Johnny for safe keeping. It was too big and she was so scared she would drop it in the harbor.
These two balance one another out so perfectly and are the perfect pair! Their love is apparent and enduring and we couldn’t be happier to be part of such an exciting time in their life together! We cannot wait to watch their love story unfold in May as they say their I Do’s. Enjoy some of our favorites from our time with them.
