The season of engagement sessions has begun! I was able to meet up with Amanda and Mike a couple of weeks back as they kicked off my 2018 wedding season. We met at Fairy Lake in Newmarket and it was the perfect spot for some capture some lovely images! The day before our shoot, Mike messaged me wondering if we could include their brand new puppy in their session and I excitedly agreed! Their sweet new puppy Roxie is so adorable! Thanks to Mike’s mom who hung out with Roxie so we were able to get some pictures throughout the park.
If you’ve been following with my blog for a while, you know that on my engagement posts I always let my couples share their story rather than me trying to re-tell it. Mike is here to share about their love story as it has been lived so far.
Amanda and I actually met online. After a few days of chatting we decided to meet up in Barrie. First date went amazing (I told her later on that date was the best first date of my life), went went for sushi, walked around the Barrie waterfront and then bowling. After that, every weekend we would alternate where we would visit as it was a long drive for both of us. However we did meet up once a week in Barrie for a date night.
After a few months dating we decided to look for a job in Newmarket for Amanda as relocating wasn’t an option for me. Amanda ended up getting another dental assisting job, and we quickly found her an apartment for her to move into. I told myself after 3 months of seeing her almost every day, I would make my decision on whether or not I wanted to marry her. Well that plan lasted about 2 weeks. We went out for sushi one Saturday afternoon on Main Street Newmarket, and I casually asked her if she wanted to go into the jewelry store, that afternoon we picked out a ring and got it ordered custom made.
We weren’t officially engaged yet, but I had to be creative about it because she knew the ring was coming, and I couldn’t call her my fiancee until she had the ring. Amanda is close with the De Boer family, and since her father has passed on, she wanted me to ask Ben De Boer for his blessing. We planned to visit them the weekend of the Caledonia fair, and have me ask for their blessing the next day. I decided the only way I could surprise her was to actually do it at the fair. I took a day off work a couple weeks before and drove down to the De Boer farm. Ben and Anita were surprised to see me and quickly clue in why I was there. After a good long conversation I had their blessing and the plan was set.
As the fair was winding down and everyone was set to go to their own way. I was holding hands with Amanda and told her I had a confession to make. That confession was that I didn’t need to ask for their blessing on Sunday, and told her it was because I already did it. I remember getting down on one knee and asking her to marry me, however I don’t remember much after that because I saw Amanda’s face of pure joy and after a good two minute hug after her saying yes, somehow the ring found its way on her finger. It was the best night of our lives.
Fast forward a bit now, we bought a house in Alcona, have a puppy and very much look forward to starting a family of our own. It’s a very exciting time for us. Also very busy. For the wedding, the part I am looking forward to most is the first look. I am super glad that we are doing a first look because I will not be able to keep it together if I saw her walking down the aisle for the first time. I can’t wait to see how beautiful Amanda looks in her dress.
This story is the sweetest!! Thank you again Mike and Amanda for allowing me to capture your journey to marriage. I wish you both many blessings as you continue to plan for your wedding day!
If you are looking for a wedding photographer for the 2018 season I have very limited bookings left. I am currently taking bookings for 2019 + 2020. Send me a message here and I look forward to hearing from you!
