August 1, 2020. It was almost just another hot summer day for me, photographing a wedding. It was COVID’s world, and weddings looked a bit different. What had originally been planned as a “normal” wedding day for my clients, Joe & Shelbie, turned into a small backyard celebration with only a few attendees. We all made the best of it, creating and capturing special memories.

But for Lance and me, one memory stood above all others: meeting each other.

I was invited to stay past my photography coverage by my bride. “Why don’t you stay? Relax! Have a drink!” Though out of character for me, I obliged with an “Eh, what the heck—why not?” thinking to myself, Gosh, I love these people…

Little did I know that striking up a conversation with one of the groomsmen—who was in charge of the music—would lead to a personal escort to my car and a request for my number.

This may come as no surprise to those who know Lance. The man is not lacking in confidence. Meanwhile, every part of me was trying to resist, because such behavior is against “photographer code.” Obviously, I’m terrible at listening to my brain, because my gut said, “F- it.” And I’m so glad it did.

Lance scored his first date about a month later. Nothing fancy—just a local bar with wings and beer (still our favorite kind of date night). I schooled him in a game of cornhole and gave him my life story. He even took a picture of us to brag to his wedding friends: “Look who’s on a date with the photographer!”

Neither of us were looking for anything serious at the time. We continued to hang out as friends. I was invited to football games and gatherings over the fall, and as winter set in, we found ourselves spending more and more time together.

My Christmas party that year marked the day Lance first referred to me as his girlfriend. He met my kids, Lenora and Liam, and won them over with bad jokes, video games, scary movies, game nights, and his warm smile.

In February 2021, we modeled for a photographer who wanted to do an edgy Valentine’s Day shoot as a step away from the cliché. That night, she shared sneak peeks with us, and Lance posted the photos with our first official status change: In a Relationship with Lauren Nicole. I almost fell off the couch when I got the notification—I was so excited. He then said, “Oh—I guess I should have asked you first, huh?”

He didn’t have to. I was head over heels.

Two years later, Lance and I took a big step and officially blended our lives by renting our first home together in Falling Waters.

Two years after that, we did something we once thought we’d never do—we purchased our first home.

We are so incredibly happy with the life we’ve built together—a relationship that truly fits the definition of “meant to be.”

When we realized our six-year anniversary would fall on a Saturday in 2026, we knew that had to be our date. We’ve always considered the day we met as our anniversary, because it really has been “us” ever since.

Shelbie and Joe, the couple who started out in my life as clients, have become two of my closest and dearest friends. THANK YOU for inviting me to stay. THANK YOU for giving us a story—and an anniversary—we’ll cherish forever. We love you.

As a matter of fact, we love all of you. If you’ve found your way to this website, you are far too meaningful a part of our lives for us to imagine doing this without you.

We cannot WAIT to make it official.

It’s going to be one hell of a night.

Soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Weagley. ❤️