She didn't want to go. In fact, Erica wouldn't dream of attending a surprise birthday bash in Chicago for a friend while she was in the final semester of graduate school. No, no she had a thesis to write, tests to study for, and needed to focus on preparing for an upcoming job interview. A dear friend refused to listen to Erica and promised she'd help Erica study on the flight.

A bit later, after spending a splendid weekend in Chicago, Erica and her friend prepped for the interview while waiting in the airport for their return flight home. Erica brought up the company's website she was interviewing for and a promotional video came into view. I KNOW HIM, Erica's friend gasped, we went to high school together!. Her friend placed a call to Carl and asked if he'd be willing to meet with Erica before the interview to offer helpful insight.

Erica wrote an email to me with the following, “Our connection started off professional and quickly blossomed into what we are today: Us. Simply us. Partners. Running Mates. Personal Cheerleaders. Supporters. Lovers. Celebrators. We're in the beginning stages of planning a very small destination wedding in Italy next year and we'd love to have you & JD document our special day.” I couldn't be more honored documenting a new part of their story with an engagement session in Santa Monica, California…

Erica and Carl reside in Florida, but they flew to Santa Monica for their engagement session. They opted to have engagement photos taken at their boutique hotel, Palihouse…

Erica and Carl have the best time together…no matter the situation, Carl can make Erica laugh in a matter of seconds…

In light of friendly competition, Erica challenged Carl to a bocce ball bout…Carl won, but Erica gets bonus points for cheering so loud when he was the victor.

Erica and Carl went back to their room to change, but not before sneaking a window kiss in Palihouse…

Before heading downstairs for a drink, they changed outfits and enjoyed time in their hotel room together…

…like I said, they make fun happen wherever they go…

We headed downstairs to the Palihouse lounge to spend the rest of the afternoon simply relaxing…

Erica and Carl, thank you for inviting me to document your love and the start of a new chapter in your lives…I cannot WAIT for next year! Italy or Bust!

Happy Thursday!