Her group of friends had stood by each others sides through thick and thin since elementary school. From their playground days, to middle school drama, to homecoming dances, graduation, the start of their college and career paths, and beyond… they’d been through it all together, collecting countless memories along the way. An inseparable friend unit, they called themselves the Hinkletown kids, with a highlight of each year being their annual weekend getaway trip as a group to a friend’s cabin — a tradition they looked forward to all year long.

The much anticipated weekend trip had arrived that year, and as Kelsey arrived at the car pool meeting point, she was warmly greeted by her group of childhood friends, as well as a friend of theirs who’d be joining them this year whom she knew, but not well — Zach Strothers. They exchanged hellos, then piled into the car, where Kelsey and Zach coincidentally ended up sitting beside each other.

They recall now their obvious attraction to each other from that very first car ride, laughing about how they embarrassingly flirted the entire road trip and weekend to follow in front of all of their friends. Upon arriving home from that trip, they made excuses to see each other again, their first real date together lasting hours longer than either one of them had expected. But conversation came easy and things felt so right, and it was clear this relationship was different than any they’d experienced before.

Kelsey’s a wedding photographer, so to see her finally have her turn as the bride makes my heart swell!! Everything is still so surreal to them both, and it’s so clear they’re greatly anticipating their November 16th wedding. But that makes three of us!! ;) Zach + Kelsey, I can’t wait to be there to celebrate with you and watch you become husband + wife! Xoxo!!