Throughout the fraternity house sorority girls dressed in green t-shirts sipped on cups of green beer and drank Irish whiskey. It was Unofficial at the University of Illinois, and Billy was visiting his high school friends for a weekend of pre-St. Patrick’s Day celebrating. He noticed a pretty, blonde among the girls but he didn’t make a move. Billy had his chance to talk to Stephanie in that moment, but he didn’t take it. The universe would bring him back to her over the years. Fate has a funny way like that.

It turned out that Stephanie and Billy had mutual friends in common, and they were hanging out at the same places often. It wasn’t until a few years later at a friend’s birthday party, that Billy and Steph really got to talking. Late night phones and weekends visits scheduled months became the norm as they started their long distance relationship during their last year off college.

Following graduation, Stephanie moved out-of-state and the distance became harder so the two parted ways to grow on their own. Life wasn’t quite right during their time apart, and it seemed that the universe agreed. Billy and Steph reconnected once Steph moved to Chicago. There were lots of phone calls and some pretty flowers …. and finally the two were back where they belonged … together.

I met Stephanie, Billy and Zoe at Oz Park in Chicago on a beautiful June afternoon for their engagement photos.

Zoe was so excited to be at the park but she made sure to ham it up for a the camera for a few individual photos. I have puppy fever, so I was thrilled to have Zoe there for a portion of their engagement session.

We took a short walk over to the Lincoln Park Zoo for some engagement photos of just the two of them.

The best thing about Stephanie and Billy’s love is their ability to enjoy life as it unfolds. Stephanie and Billy are fun-loving and adorable.

Stephanie and I were both in the same sorority at the University of Illinois, and I was delighted when she emailed me with such wonderful news (her engagement!). I love being able to reconnect with old friends – especially during such a special time in their lives.

Our engagement session was the first time I met Billy, and I loved getting to know him. He toughed out the humidity and heat during our session like a complete trooper and let Steph and I take him all over Chicago for photos.

Stephanie and Billy are getting married at a winery in Michigan next year, and I am so excited to document their first day as husband and wife.

I’ll leave with this photo because Chicago is such a special place to Stephanie and Billy.