Guys.  I'm more than a little excited to introduce you to Josh and Karrie today.  These two are a riotous good time.  The inspiration for their engagement session was the idea of capturing them on a whimsical day date around Columbus.  I've never had so much fun being a third wheel.  They have this way of turning everything into a party, and the way they love each other makes the whole world feel brighter.

So on our way to their date (the one I was crashing/stalking), we stopped at this underpass for obvious reasons.  

Karrie, you are just lovely.

She might've slapped him a little.  I don't doubt it was entirely warranted.  His expression suggests that he might have been looking for the attention.  (For those of you not up on social norms this is what unprompted flirting looks like.  Make a note.  If a chic likes you enough to slap you, you've definitely got a shot.  Just saying.  That dating tip was free.  You're welcome.)

Fun fact about Josh: He is a brilliant storyteller.  Not even kidding.  Had I known the gem of storytelling goodness that awaited me when I asked them about how they met/fell in love/etc, I would have gotten out my iPhone and recorded the tale as a voice memo so you all could hear it for yourselves.  Alas, I did not, so I shall have to retell it as best I can...

They're both from different parts of the state of Ohio, but first met in New York City.  Josh had moved to NYC for a year to help out with a local book distribution ministry.  Karrie, along with a group of others, was in town to help out with an annual week long Bible school the mission was hosting.  They spent the week hanging out among friends, with no particular interest in one another until one evening when they found themselves next to each other during a group game.  They hit it off and spent most of the game in their own world disturbing the peace with their laughter.  They had fun, but she went home, and that was that...for the time being anyway.  

Yet another reason these two are fantastic: This photo.  It's so them.  I'd barely noticed the ballerina before they'd skipped across the street and struck their best I-am-a-lovely-ballerina stance.

We moved on from the colorful underpass to The Book Loft in German Village.  The Book Loft is a charming little spot with a labyrinth of tiny rooms full of books.  It's the sort of place you can get lost for hours.  

There was room devoted to the arts and as we walked in Karrie mentioned a painting called The Kiss by Gustav Klimt.  So they went hunting through books and found her painting...

So getting back to their story...after several months of not being able to get Karrie out of his head, Josh hatched a plan to see her again.  Karrie is an artist, so Josh contacted her and commissioned her to do a painting for him to give to his mother for Christmas.  Smooth, eh?  Of course he offered to come pick it up, rather than have it shipped.  No matter that it was a bit of a drive to get there.  He and a friend of his arrived to pick it up, and what was meant to be a painting simply exchanging hands turned into a four or five hour event where he and the unsuspecting buddy he'd dragged with him inadvertently ended up spending the afternoon and evening with Karrie's family and friends.  Much to his delight.  Unfortunately, Karrie was a bit under the weather that day, so though he'd seen her, he still didn't quite have what it took to ask her out.  So back to New York he went, and he hadn't gotten the girl.

It's a whole thing, being without someone after you've figured out that you'd really rather be with them.  

He pined for a few more months before finally calling up his mom one day.  Smart boy.  Mothers have this intuitive way of reading between the lines and discerning what to say to simply help their kids find their way.  After his conversation with his mom, Josh decided to fast.  And on the day he was fasting he gets a call from this friend inviting him to play in a sporting event in a few weeks.  The kicker?  The event is in Karrie's hometown.  Josh was ecstatic.  (Sidenote: that fasting and seeking God bit that Josh did is a whole thing too.  Total God moment in their story, and I love it.)

That weekend, they finally got it figured out and stopped leaving all the chemistry unspoken.  

So back to their date!  After The Book Loft, they wandered into a little coffee shop nearby.

This book was an impromptu prop they found in the coffee shop. Note the title and the accompanying look of terror in their eyes.  Marriage is good guys.  Promise. ;)

This would be that moment when she flicked a bit of her tea at him and disrupted the uber studious environment at the coffee shop, and suppressed giggles ensued. I think love makes us all a little crazy and uninhibited, and the world needs more of this sort of happy disruption.  

The last stop on their little day of adventuring around Columbus was an art gallery, and it might have been my favorite part.

Red shoes = winning.  Every time. 

I loved what this part of the session brought out of Karrie.  She was in her element, her happy place, and you could feel it.  She was chatting silk screening and all manner of other artsy things with the artist who happened to be manning the gallery that afternoon.  Karrie is truly unique and so talented.  She's a painter, and a graphic designer, and her hands leave beauty wherever they land.  One of the weddings I did last summer had exquisite, detailed chalkboard signage throughout the wedding and reception.  I had so much fun photographing it, and found out later it was Karrie who'd created all of them.  She paints beautifully and designs logos (...including the new one that's in the works for me! Yay!) and altogether she gives of herself by blessing others with her art.

Love this one!

Josh & Karrie, thank you for letting me follow you around with my camera for the afternoon.  You are such lovely people, and I can't wait for your big day!

Hair + Makeup:  Belle Chérie - Styles by Janelle