Alexa & Josiah’s love story starts all the way back to middle school, although they didn’t know it then. Well I guess you could say she knew a bit before he did, as she is the one who was crushing hard really before they ever officially met. Both being small towners with a family passion for cattle farming their paths occasionally crossed but it wasn’t until Josiah stumbled into Alexa’s Dad’s restaurant & as fate would have it, Alexa was his waitress. He went big with asking her to go to a concert with him as a first date, but the butterflies got the best of her & Alexa made up an excuse not to go. Josiah wasn’t going to give up that easy so he reached out again & well as they say, the rest is history! Living long distant & only seeing each other on weekends during college & while starting their careers has made the couple even more anxious to become husband & wife.

The couple & I’s paths crossed last year when Josiah was a best man in his best man’s wedding. I distinctly remember admiring Josiah’s toast for being genuine & kind hearted, so it came to now surprise when all four of the toasts shared on Josiah & Alexa’s wedding night at Poes’s Catering on the Hill, were something to be talked about for a while! Their best friends had nothing but wonderful memories to speak of, & how kind & loving each were. Then each of their siblings blew everyone away with the most memorable toasts I have documented yet. Complete with “You May be Alexa if…” a rap & a song! (Don’t worry Alexa, we all thought chocolate milk came from brown cows at one point!)

These weren’t the only moments that engraved memories that I will never forget. Between writing letters to one another, a private first look & celebrating with the supportive family & friends involved in the big day, Saturday was nothing short of amazing. The best part was it felt like I was celebrating the love story of two lifelong friends. There was a moment during the portrait part of the day as I was headed in to start capturing ceremony details & the bride & groom were going to hide away from arriving guests that Alexa almost told me “Love you, see you later!” We ended up deciding that our friendship had reach that level & I am so happy that it has!

Alexa & Josiah, I know that the only request you asked of me was to give you photos that you want to keep hung up in your living room forever. I can only hope I have done that for you because one day you will have little Klokkenga’s running around that living & I want nothing more than for them to see how in love their mom & dad were on their wedding day. The way you are with your nieces & nephews, I just know you are going to make the best parents. Congratulations, & thank you so much for letting me share in on the most important day of your life. Here is to no longer living long distant, a new friendship, & to many kiddos!