Patrick & Lizzie: Engagement Photos on the John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge in Lafayette, Indiana
Between a global pandemic, getting engaged, planning a wedding in just three months, and losing Lizzie’s mom, 2020 has been both a difficult and exciting year for Lizzie Kovic and Patrick Yoder.
But, these two are going through this year with grace (I think it’s safe to say that this is a result of their faith.), and on Saturday, August 22, these two will become husband and wife!
Now, I usually share engagement photos long before a couple’s wedding day, but when you have a short engagement, your engagement photos may end up being taken just six days before the big day! And, this is exactly what happened for Lizzie and Patrick!
I’m so excited to share this sweet couple’s engagement photos on the John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge in Lafayette, Indiana on the blog, and I can’t wait to get these two in front of the camera again for their big day in just a few days!
Patrick & Lizzie came back together when the time was right.
Patrick and Lizzie’s dating story is a perfect example of how things need to happen in God’s timing.
You see, about four years ago, Lizzie and Patrick were set up on a blind date by good friends who knew Lizzie and Patrick would be great together. Lizzie and Patrick hit it off and began “officially” dating. However, almost immediately after they made things official, Patrick moved for grad school, and Patrick and Lizzie began a long distance relationship.
Quickly realizing grad school was going to be even more demanding than he thought, Patrick realized he didn’t have the capacity to care for Lizzie like she deserved, and the two decided to call it quits.
Over the next couple years, Patrick finished grad school and Lizzie moved all over the world for work. (Lizzie works for Cru and has the most loving heart!) The two lost touch until Aaron (Patrick’s brother) and Eleanor (Lizzie’s friend) got married.
Patrick and Lizzie hadn’t spoken in years, but during Aaron and Eleanor’s reception, they got to talking, and Patrick asked if he could call Lizzie. “I’d love to catch up even more,” he told her.
So, Patrick and Lizzie started talking on the phone, and a month later, Patrick drove to Chicago to see Lizzie for an epic, 12-HOUR DATE!
They took the train to the city, got lunch, went to a Cubs game, and then went to a Greek festival. That night, Patrick stayed the night with his cousin who lived nearby, and the next morning, Patrick and Lizzie went to church together. How sweet is that?!
With Lizzie being in the Chicago area and Patrick being in Lafayette, these two did long distance for the next few months. They spoke on the phone, met halfway at an apple orchard, and saw each other as frequently as they could between their busy schedules.
A global pandemic is a great way to prevent any proposal suspicion!
Since Lizzie and Patrick began dating, they’ve been very open about their intentions. They both knew they wanted to get married and made it clear that they were dating to determine if they wanted to marry one another.
As a result, Lizzie and Patrick had been discussing marriage and the possibility of a proposal since they began dating.
However, when the coronavirus swept the world and stay-at-home orders and social distancing began, Lizzie figured a proposal was months away and wasn’t the least bit suspicious—especially considering Lizzie and Patrick were social distancing from one another.
But, Lizzie was wrong! When the world started opening back up a little, Patrick asked Lizzie if he could pick her up on a Saturday, take her out for lunch, and then go for a walk.
Lizzie assumed the afternoon was nothing more than a date. (Not to say that Lizzie wasn’t excited to see Patrick! Long distance dating is hard, but social distance dating is even harder!)
After lunch, Patrick and Lizzie headed to the lakefront in Chicago to walk. While there, Patrick surprised Lizzie with an 11-page poem and photos recapping their relationship! Then, Patrick asked Lizzie to be his wife.
Patrick & Lizzie decided to take their engagement photos on the John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge in Lafayette, Indiana.
Like I said before, I typically take couples’ engagement photos long before (about six months before) their wedding day. But, with Patrick and Lizzie having a shorter engagement, we did their engagement photos at sunrise on the John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge in downtown Lafayette just SIX days before their big day!
(Side note: It would’ve been easy for Patrick and Lizzie to say “forget it” when it came to engagement photos. But, engagement photos are a great way to ease any nerves you may have about being in front of the camera. So, an engagement session is kind of like wedding photo practice, and while Lizzie and Patrick are naturally adorable and photogenic, they’re now well prepared for their wedding photos on Saturday!)
These two graciously got up early and allowed me to drag them all over and under the bridge for their engagement photos. After just a few moments of having them in front of the camera, I quickly realized that these two radiate joy wherever they are—even in front of the camera at 7:00 am!
I know things have been busy for Lizzie and Patrick, but I’m thrilled that I get to see these two and photograph them twice in the same week!
Congratulations, Patrick & Lizzie!
Patrick and Lizzie will celebrate their wedding at the Spohn Ballroom in Goshen, Indiana on Saturday, August 22, 2020 surrounded by their closest friends and family and with mask wedding favors! (Such a great, thoughtful idea in the midst of coronavirus times!)
Patrick and Lizzie, I have no doubt that your big day will be joy-filled, Christ-centered, and all around wonderful. It’s going to be the best day!
I hope you love these previews from your engagement photos on the John T. Myers Pedestrian Bridge in Lafayette, Indiana! See you on Saturday!
