i like to re-imagine true stories sometimes. just for my own amusement really. usually i add a comical twist to the real-life story line. (my brain is just twisted that way.) rachel and phillip met each other briefly during a college social event one evening. but their relationship really began shaping up after they ran into each other again the next morning — at the university’s swimming pool. in my version of events, phillip sees rachel on her lifeguard stand and immediately falls head over heels for her — so much so that he reverts to childhood antics, trying desperately to get her attention. maybe he addresses her regally from the foot of her tower, like the prince calling up to rapunzel. maybe he even fakes drowning in hopes of getting a little cpr! (not recommended if another male lifeguard is also on duty.) in any case, somehow he wins her heart in the end. and the great part is, most of the story is actually true! well, except maybe the middle part… and a few details at the beginning and end. ok, so maybe their real love story is a little shorter on comedy and a lot longer on romance. the point is, romantic relationships and the photographer-subject relationship actually have a couple things in common: they’re both about creating new stories, and injecting an extra measure of joy into every moment!

the moments eileen and i shared with this wonderful couple were especially joy-filled. rachel is an old crony of eileen’s from mercer university (on whose atlanta campus we began this engagement session). she also ended up in japan for a year at the same time eileen was living there, which gave them a chance to meet up even overseas. phillip spells his name with two L’s, same as i do. so he can’t be all that bad. and if he’s like a certain other two-“L” phillip i know, he’s probably pretty ripped, too. which explains how he really got rachel’s attention at the pool!! (and ladies, please don’t call asking me if this “other phillip” is available or lives nearby. it’s just too humiliating.) actually, rachel’s phillip is a terrific guy, and eileen and i are ecstatic to see what God has planned for their marriage. congratulations, you two!

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