I had such a great time with Ashlee & Mitch during their Madison engagement photography session. It started out raining, even though the forecast had 0% (really, ZERO percent) rain and showed nothing on the radar (c’mon!). These two were champs, though; and it was definitely worth enduring a few sprinkles. Can you believe that these two have known each other since the 5th grade? Sometimes in my (rare) quiet moments, I wonder what my life would have been like if I had met John earlier in life. I wonder because we are so perfectly created for each other and I can’t help but believe with all that I am that no matter when we would’ve met each other, we would’ve always ended up together. And then I have these two as proof! Ashlee & Mitch met in 5th grade when she played on his basketball team. (She recalls possibly starting over him, but he doesn’t think that’s accurate.) 🙂 These two have lived through all of the many changes that happen during our early years, and they fall more in love each day!

Of course having known each other so well for so long, Ashlee never thought that Mitch would be able to pull off a surprise proposal. But he did! Ashlee says it best: “It was a Tuesday night and Mitch had planned a date night for us to go on a plane ride with some people from his work. His boss owned a small plane and offered to give tours to all the newbies 🙂 I was thrilled, because it was something I have always wanted to do and thought it would be so fun to get to know his co-workers a bit more. After work that day, Mitch had told me we might have to cancel because something happened to the plane. (This is why I had no idea about the proposal! He was so nonchalant about it all!) Needless to say, we went to the hangar and everything was smooth sailing. When we were up in the plane, over the most beautiful October sunset skies, may I add, he proposed. It was the best moment of my life!! I didn’t think after this many years he would be able to surprise me, but he sure pulled off an epic proposal!”

It wasn’t really a work outing, as Ashlee learned later; and when the initial plane that they were scheduled to use was damaged the night before by hail, the pilot had to scramble to find another plane. Mitch said, “When we got up in the air, the pilot and I had code words. When I said the words to him, he started recording us and I asked her to marry me. Thank goodness she said yes or we would have had to jump out of the plane 😉 (kidding!) It was a great day.”

After so many years of being in love, these two are so natural and easy going together. We had a great time walking around Madison, first at Olin Park, and then at the Monona Terrace. Ashlee & Mitch just fit; and you can tell they’re meant for each other. We can’t wait to catch more moments of these two when they marry the one they’ve loved since 11 years old! Here are a few favorites from their Madison engagement photography session!