Marion and Brian grew up a stone’s throw from one another on Mercer Island, Washington. They went to the same elementary, middle, high school — had many friends in common (including Brian’s sister Lauren, who was in Marion’s class), but their paths never really crossed. Years later, they lived only a few miles from each other again, this time in Spokane where they both attended college. It wasn’t until a fateful day in 2009; Marion’s need for cereal and Brian’s craving for beer brought them face to face at a grocery store in their hometown. It’s a cliche, but I’m going there — “the rest was history.”

So nothing could have been more appropriate for our session than to go on a tour of their stomping grounds. Mercer Island is a gorgeous community due east of Seattle and we couldn’t have asked for a better crisp January morning. We visited their elementary school, explored the parks and hiking trails around the homes they both grew up in, and then hopped in the car to visit Brian’s incredible Capitol Hill apartment and surrounding neighborhood.

Please enjoy the images below — I don’t think I could pick a favorite if you made me. There is so much love; they had so much fun with each other and it really shows. All of my congratulations to Marion and Brian — I can’t wait for September!