What comes to mind when we say these things?
Top 8.
Auto-playing music.
Tom Anderson: everyone’s first friend.
Ring any bells? We’re talking about MySpace! Nowadays it’s a largely unused platform, but back in the early 2000’s, it was bigger than Facebook, full of customized pages and plenty of networking. Nine years ago, Dean was looking through his buddy’s friends list and saw the photo of a gorgeous gal: Sarah. He was nervous, considering how many messages ladies get out of nowhere, but he thought he’d take a leap of faith and send a respectful note to compliment her.
Luckily for Dean, Sarah thought he was pretty cute too. Their first date was Applebee’s, which is pretty classy when you’re in high school. Dean met up with her at school after a football game, and Sarah was nervous, so she didn’t tell her parents. (She actually kept him a secret for a while. Internet communication is common nowadays, but back then, it was a new frontier, and parents were hyper-paranoid about their kids meeting new friends. If you’re young and reading this, make sure you’re careful when talking to people online!)
Sarah barely ate any of her food, she was so nervous. Dean’s memories of it were along the lines of, “She ate maybe three pieces of chicken from her salad.”
Those first-date jitters are pretty common, we think. Luckily, that date turned into a second, and a third, and now, nine years later, Sarah and Dean are ready to get married. In the time of #EatLocal, who’d think Applebee’s would spark romance? 😉
As you might expect, Dean was the one to propose. Picture it: the Mogollon Rim, Northern Arizona, on February 17th, 2018. It was a chilly Saturday, but Sarah and Dean decided to brave the great outdoors and walk among the Ponderosa pine trees. It’s a gorgeous area, so Sarah decided that she wanted to commemorate the beauty with Dean in a timed selfie. She took the photo, but the first snap didn’t turn out quite right. Sarah turned to reset the timer, and Dean knew it was time: he got down on one knee. Sarah was ready, telling him to smile, and she looked back at him, and the first words out of her mouth… “It’s about time!”
The camera went off, capturing Sarah’s sweet, teasing smile and Dean’s huge grin. It’s a memory for the ages. Their official anniversary was November 1st, but soon enough, that’s going to change. Soon, they’ll be husband and wife!
Along with the changes that marriage brings is another huge occasion: Sarah and Dean just bought a house! Between Sarah’s job at Victoria’s Secret and Dean’s 7-year tenure working in solar power, the two of them were able to put away enough for a new home, perfect to start the next phase of their life in. (There’s plenty of room for their two English Bulldogs, too.)
Sarah and Dean were a blast to shoot, trekking among the wilderness with big ol’ smiles on their faces. Hiking with them was a great way to spend the afternoon, their laid-back energy making it feel like a nature excursion instead of a photoshoot. Sarah’s navy blue dress looks amazing on her, don’t you think? That’s why it’s one of their wedding colors. Wedgewood Lindsay Grove is going to be all decked out in navy and mauve, turning the Mesa, Arizona venue into the perfect spot for Sarah and Dean to say their vows. Those first-date jitters might turn into wedding jitters–that’s natural for every couple! it’s a big occasion!–but one thing was clear during this shoot: Sarah and Dean love each other very, very much, in a quietly joyful way that we know will last.
Sarah, Dean: we’re so glad we got to work with you. You guys have a truly special romance and a cute story that’s perfect for the modern age. We look forward to your wedding!
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