Engagement Session: Andrew & Cassie | Julian, CA | Analisa Joy Photography | San Diego, CA Photographer

Your soulmate is out there, but if you let them, they might just jog right past you. I love the love story of Andrew and Cassie. Andrew is originally from Texas and Cassie is from Nor Cal. They are your typical outdoor, hunting, bow shooting, southern loving couple who happened to jog into one another in San Diego. Andrew saw this beautiful blonde jogging his way while he was working out on the beach and he interrupted her excise to introduce himself. They said that they never experienced an awkward date and from their first hangout, these two developed an effortless friendship. Who knew that they would find their southern rooted love of their life in the beach loving city of San Diego.

The day prior to their session, my husband and I saw the movie American Sniper. It is based on the true story of American sniper, Chris Kyle. Personally, I was truly touched and could not stop thinking about this movie. Amazing film, acting, directing and everything in between. When the movie ended, our theater exited in complete silence. I don’t think I exhaled until the credits. Afterwards, I realized that I do not show my appreciation enough to all the men and women who risk their lives to serve this country. Sometimes, our worldly problems are so minuscule to what they see on the battlefield.

I thought about that movie my entire drive up to Julian. When I met Andrew and Cassie, I learned that Andrew is in the services and that he will be deployed only a few weeks after his wedding day. I asked him if they saw the movie, American Sniper and he informed me that they hadn’t due to the realization of their own circumstances. However, (**spoiler, don’t keep reading if you have yet to see the movie), Andrew happened to attend high school with the vet who is now on trial for shooting Chris Kyle. Chris Kyle ALSO attended their high school, but he was a few classes ahead of them. Isn’t that crazy?! After their session, I realized that it was also Chris Kyle Day in Texas so the coincidences of this movie seemed to be following me wherever I went.

Aside from being mind blown by this movie tangent, I fell in love with this couple. They need to have a book written about them because I felt like I hopped into a Nicholas Sparks novel while photographing them. They share a sweet and humble love for one another. They enjoy the great outdoors, cooking together, and shooting their bows. I have to mention their bows because Trent and I have participated in some archery ourselves. When they said that they wanted to incorporate bows into their session, I was envisioning a dinky bow like the one that we own. No. These two have bows that would make Katniss from Hunger Games jealous. They thought me a few tricks and I felt like I could get lost in the wilderness for a day and survive. Maybe. Probably not.

This amazing couple will be the first to kick off my wedding season. I’m so excited to spend more time with them, dance to some country music, and celebrate their love! Congrats Andrew and Cassie!