Joel and Lauryn met at a local Duluth “establishment,” which we will leave unnamed for the sake of the couple. When the time for a first date rolled around, Lauryn told her friends that if he took her out to a chain restaurant, he was not going to get a second date. Joel, thankfully, pulled through and passed the test. He took her to Seven West Taphouse, which is now one of the couple’s favorite date spots. They quickly fell for each other, and have been together for over three years. They are both St. Scholastica graduates, and Lauryn works with Joel’s mother at the hospital.

Joel proposed at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, shortly after sunrise. It was a beautiful day filled with the sunshine, lack of sleep, and the biggest festival in the world for balloons. Their engagement session took place at Hawk Ridge in Duluth, MN, on one of the last nice fall days of the season. It was a perfect day celebrating the changing of the season and the love Joel and Lauryn have for each other.

Joel and Lauryn enjoying one of the last nice fall days at Hawk Ridge.

Ready for life’s next big adventure.

Gorgeous October day.

Happily surrounded by Duluth’s natural beauty.

Joel did a good job picking out the ring.

Joel and Lauryn beside the waters of Lake Superior at Brighton Beach.

Dusk in the fall.