I met with Lauren and Zack for their Spring Mizzou engagement session in Columbia Missouri on a lovely overcast afternoon. The cloud coverage provided the most perfect and delicate light that made their session incredible from every angle. We spent time around the University of Missouri campus and later headed to a nearby park.

How they met

It was the year 2020 when Lauren and Zack’s paths first crossed in the halls of their elementary school. Zack, with his coaching position put on hold, found himself substitute teaching to fill the time. Little did he know that this temporary detour would lead him to the love of his life. One fateful day, after school hours, Zack found himself standing outside Lauren’s classroom door, feigning ignorance as he asked for directions to the fifth-grade classrooms. What started as a simple inquiry soon blossomed into a genuine connection, as Zack confessed that he had merely used it as an excuse to strike up a conversation with Lauren. A dinner date the following day marked the beginning of their love story, and from that moment on, they were inseparable.

What they enjoy doing together

Lauren and Zak love spending quiet evenings at home in each other’s company. Whether it is cozying up on the couch to binge-watch their favorite shows or spending quality time in the kitchen cooking up delicious meals together, every moment is filled with laughter, love, and a deep sense of connection.

Zak describes Lauren as the calm amidst the chaos, an anchor of organization and tranquility. “The other glaring things that I love about her are how loyal and loving she is to everyone. There is not a doubt in my mind that we will stay together forever. Even when things are going wrong she always knows to fall back on those that she loves and I am lucky to be at the top of that list.”

Lauren describes Zak as the constant state of joy in her life. “He is the one that always reminds me to find the positive in situations and is always a glass half full guy. His love and devotion to his job and his family is something that I truly admire about him. He gives his all to everything that he does and he will see every situation through to the end. Zak also gives the best advice, but is also there to just listen when I need that. He can make anyone laugh and that is how we spend most of our time. I can be my true authentic self around him, and he loves me for who I am. Being with him is the best part of my day, and I am so thankful that I get to spend the rest of my life with him!”

How he proposed

Lauren and Zak moved to Michigan in 2022, so they were visiting Lauren’s family for a few weeks in the summer time in 2023. Lauren and her sister had planned a surprise photo shoot for their mom since they would all be together. Little did she know that Zak would be surprising her! Zak arranged for a photographer to document the proposal. Surrounded by the warmth and love of her family and Zak’s, who had flown in from Michigan to be there for this special moment, Zak proposed! It was so special as they were able to celebrate their engagement with their families for the next several days.

As Lauren and Zack’s love story continues to unfold, they are excitedly looking towards the future with hope and anticipation. With their shared love for family and each other, they know that their journey together is bound to be filled with countless more cherished moments, laughter, and adventures yet to come. I’m super excited and look forward to documenting their wedding in the summer of 2025!

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