They met in elementary school. They weren't really friends, even though they went to a small school (think class sizes of 45, instead of 400). So they knew each other existed, but never talked. This was true until around Olivia's 7th grade year, when Matt started noticing her, and he decided to try and pursue her - something his cousin had been doing very unsuccessfully for a while. He would get her number, and they would start to talk. It wasn't a long time (but also notably, not a short time) before they would start to like each other.

Jordan & Kailee's Manito Engagement

Jordan is someone i’ve known a long time. He’s my nephew after all. I’m not 100% sure how old he was when we first met, but my guess is around seven. So being able to watch him grow up, go through high school, find a girlfriend and then get married?! Pretty darn amazing. The girl he’s found, Kailee, has also been quite the blessing. She is always ready to be part of family events and is quick to laugh and have fun. Watching them grow closer (I distinctly remember meeting her while doing Jordan’s senior photos) has been huge for me. I’m excited to be able to share their engagement photos, which are technically not engagement photos (as they are already married!) but hey, who’s counting. I hope you love them!

Stefan and Alicia's Engagement Downtown CDA

They met at a house party about ten years ago. Both of them had extremely solid first impressions, from "wow, this girl is amazing, fun, beautiful… and taken" to Alicia's first impression of Stefan being "handsome and sweet… and taken" You see, even though they both knew each other, and seemed to really get along, they were both not available when they first met. So nothing happened. In fact, they didn't talk again after that first impression for about 8 years. Through that time relationships would come and go, and things would change - but what wouldn't change would be those impressions. That one person I met a long time ago was pretty darn cool. They would see periodic updates on Facebook, but again, they wouldn't really engage.

Jeff and Nicola's Spring Engagement Near CDA

They met on Match.com. This isn't surprising these days, as almost everyone seems to meet online. I asked them what attracted them to each other's online profiles and I got an answer I hear a lot - the person looked "real" on the other end. In other words, they didn't look like the other person was trying to be fake, or put their best foot forward, they were just being themselves.

Nathan and Allison's Spring Farragut Engagement

They met playing volleyball. Really you can thank their mutual friends who continued to invite Allison to volleyball even though she kept saying no. But they really wanted her to meet this mysterious man named Nathan. So one day, she came. Nathan told me that when he first saw her he said in his head "she's new" - but not a "oh, cool, a new person to play" but rather "woah, she's new, I definitely would like to get to know her…" if you know what I mean. That said, that first day they never talked. Or the second day.

North Idaho Engagement: Mathew and Alexis

They met on Tinder - as so many couples do these days - and set up a date. Matt talks a lot about what it means for two introverts to go on a date - or even find each other - and this whole situation worked out best for them. Alexis said at one point that she "couldn't imagine" trying to find someone another way.

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Brent Looyenga is a Spokane wedding photographer based IN SPOKANE WASHINGTON and Coeur d’Alene Idaho area. He loves people and specializes in wedding, engagement, family and senior photography. You can like Looyenga Photography on Facebook or follow them on Instagram.