Some of the sweetest stories I’ve heard involve two people meeting at one point in time, but not ever coming together until much later in life. Lois & Vincent’s story is one of them. :)
The first time Vincent ever saw Lois was when they were in junior high. Vincent was “new to the church scene” and Lois was up front, sharing, during Sunday School:
“I remember Lois sharing confidently at the front of the Sunday School class about God’s grace related to an eye injury. My first impressions was that she so lively and animated!” // Vincent
Now while Vincent talks about junior high being their “first meet”, Lois’ first recollection of him was a little bit later in life–their senior years in high school to be exact! But it wasn’t until college that they really started talking!
“I started to get to know him in college, at church, even though we did not go to the same school. My first impression? I don’t know… I have always thought he was very easy on the eyes, funny, & very kind.”
But this again, isn’t where their story officially started. They had lost touch after college, as Lois moved up north to San Jose for work, and chatted here & there when she would return back down once in a while! Thankfully, Lois’ time in San Jose didn’t last too long! A couple months before her move back down to Southern California, Lois & Vincent reconnected again–and their story started to pick up a bit when they both decided to help co-lead their church’s Young Adult Fellowship with their good friend Eric!
“Vincent probably, most likely, will say that I made the first move in asking him to study/work with my friends and such. BUT, to put it on record, he was the one that initiated the DTR. I had a feeling that day he would at least DTR, I just wasn’t sure if it was to tell me he liked me or if it was to tell me he only saw me as a friend.
He had come over to my house to help me take down my Christmas lights, and when he rang the doorbell, I could hear him muttering to myself. I chuckled because I knew he was nervous–he even broke one of the Christmas lights by accidentally smashing the bulb! Anyways, at the end of it, he asked for water and then started the DTR. It was very endearing, one of my treasured moments.”
It was January of 2014 when their story officially started, with Vincent’s brave DTR!
“It’s funny to think back to how things began because from my perspective, it was a pretty rocky start due to our vastly different communication styles. I was nervous and had a “define the relationship” talk at her home, and flash forward a few years it was also the place where we got engaged!
The proposal was a memory trail around her home. In retrospect, it was so elaborate that there were so many hiccups along the way, but what was miraculous about it all was that she did not even notice them. I had orchestrated for her to go through different stations along the trail that would encourage and bless her, with the final station being the proposal. The months of preparation included multiple Michael’s Store trips + origami folding + photobooks + musical practice + multiple friends/family coordinating and helping out, and in the end I think she loved it!”
And that sets us up for the day of their sweet session! I met up with Lois & Vincent in the sweet town of Claremont! If you haven’t been there, just think Portland but quite a bit smaller and a little more suburban and colonial! I loveeee it there! :)
Claremont holds a sweet spot in Vincent’s heart as it was where he attended college, and where Lois would visit from time to time!
I asked both Lois & Vincent what it was that attracted them to one another and their answers are so sweet. :)
“Her love of life and ability to make other people feel welcomed, loved, and appreciated are what attracted me to her the most.” // Vincent
“He is so kind and thoughtful. He is graceful AND gracious. He thinks about all the details and is so meticulous. One of the major things that drew me to him was that he loves the Lord so much, and has such a big heart for His Kingdom.” // Lois
It’s always one thing for a significant other to say these things about one another, but it means so much more when you’re able to physically see it & witness it yourself! And I definitely saw a glimpse of both of these sweet qualities in both Vincent & Lois during their session and through our communication as well!
To elaborate more on both Vincent & Lois, why not hear it from their own words? :) Here are three words they found to help describe one another!
“1) Funny: He makes me laugh, especially when he doesn’t even try to make me laugh. Vincent has this humor that i can’t really describe with words… it’s witty, innocent, lighthearted, intelligent, creative and fun. he will joke around but in a very serious tone.
2) Loving: He is so self-sacrificial. even when i make it hard for him to love me, he will still, through actions and commitment, try his best to love me as God loves me. he also loves his community and the under-served. he really has a soft heart, and that is so rare to find these days. he is extremely loyal. he has a steadfast love for the Lord, which is so attractive.
3) Committed: He is committed to his faith, his calling and to me. he puts in 110% into everything he does, it’s this drive he has. he has crazy will-power. he may take a while to make up his mind about some things, but once he makes a decision, he carries through.”
“If I had to describe her in 3 words, Lois is lively, loud, loyal. Lively in how she easily strikes up conversations, loud when she gets excited with life but also when she celebrates other’s accomplishments or successes, and fiercely loyal to her friends and family members.” // Vincent
One thing Lois has learned through her & Vincent’s dating relationship:
“[I have learned] to give the other person space and time to process things, to feel certain emotions, to express their thoughts, to just have time spent together in silence. I don’t always have to have answers to my questions right away, and sometimes I can hold off on asking questions. just being present is enough, there’s so much more you can express in silence, without words. You have to be really comfortable with yourself and the other person to fight the urge of babbling needlessly.“
What a sweet thing it is to be fully comfortable with your significant other… :) During the middle of our session, we stopped by Bert & Rocky’s, which I suggest you check out if you’re ever in the area! It’s a cute ice cream shop with the yummiest flavors! The two of them shared a cone as a little sweet break! :)
“In dating Lois, I’ve learned quite a few things about myself: how selfish I can be and how I can be a more giving person, how to laugh more, and how to communicate better!” // Vincent
Walking through Claremont & exploring the sweet spots throughout the city was so much fun with these two! They were just so lovingly sweet, and I loved seeing how much fun they were having just laughing with one another–which turns out to have been their favorite part of their session, too! :)
But of course, there is always more to a couple than the photos you see posted online, or captured during an engagement session, and I loved Vincent’s words about their relationship, as well as a little word of wisdom he had learned, and wanted to share!
“Compatibility is not a precondition of love, but true compatibility is always an achievement of love. Most people will only see the beautiful photos and fun stories told from our relationship, but our journey together is really one of two very imperfect people who have been strengthened and molded together by shared trials and victories.“
During their relationship, these two accumulated two sweet nuggets of wisdom that they wanted to pass on for you currently dating or are pursuing marriage!
“Marriage is a life-long journey with lessons to learn everyday. Your [significant other] is God’s gift to you, treat him/her with the utmost love & respect. Patience and communication is key, #relationshipgoals really ends up being you putting the other person’s needs before yours and spurring them on to love God more.” // Lois
“1) Find wise mentors who have gone before you, especially those who have beautiful marriages that you want to emulate. It was because of time spent with mentors that we learned that a genuine, strong relationship takes more than romance: it takes hard work and commitment! 2) Small random acts of kindness can go a long way, as well as the words, “I’m sorry“.”
AH! Yes. I love Lois’ use of #relationshipgoals. Those are real goals right there. And I also can whole heartedly agree with Vincent, too, on both points! John & I had mentors/disciplers during our first couple of years of dating and it was so incredibly helpful. They’re not necessary of course, but their wisdom during our tough times was so invaluable to us & to us as we built our relationship! And just YAS to the second point. They’re humbling moments when you say “I’m sorry”, especially when you go first!
And with that, I leave you! In less than a WEEK, these two are getting married & I cannot wait to photograph their wedding!! YAY!!! CONGRATULATIONS LOIS & VINCENT!!
Happy Friday!