When two people are meant to be, there’s nothing that can keep them from achieving happily ever after!

Before even meeting Kelly and Mike for their engagement shoot at the scenic Illinois Wesleyan campus, I already felt like I had known them for years. How you ask? Well, when someone schedules an engagement session with me, I always like to send out a questionnaire. This is a great way to get a better understanding of what the couple is looking for in their engagement session. Plus, it is also perfect for learning all the cute details of their love story – like how they met, their favorite things to do together, the proposal, etc. And if you know me, I’m a sucker for all that mushy stuff! Having gone through their questionnaire, I knew Kelly and Mike were going to be a blast to work with, and I couldn’t wait to meet them and help them capture their love for each other!

Competition Leads to Love

One awesome thing I learned about Kelly and Mike is that they are extremely competitive with each other. Not in a dangerous, I-am-going-to-hurt-you-if-I-lose sort of way (obviously!), but a way that pushes each of them to perform their best. This competitive couple actually credits an intense game of Wiffle ball as the moment that each of them knew they had found the one. How great is that! Kelly says that she even likes to keep a deck of card in her purse at all times. You know, just in case they find a spare moment to challenge each other during their busy days of traveling to visit friends and family and participating in sports activities. I absolutely love that being competitive and pushing each other is a key part in Kelly and Mike’s relationship, as I believe it is an effective way to challenge each other in a controlled setting, which in turn helps their relationship blossom even in the hard times!

Due to their competitive nature, it is no surprise that both say one of their favorite things about the other is their athleticism. But what else is it about this couple that makes them work so well together? One of Kelly’s favorite aspects of her husband-to-be is that he values and respects her, and has a caring heart. She’s also a sucker for his beard! Mike loves Kelly’s personality and smile, along with her core values. Together, Kelly and Mike are head over heels for each other, and that was evident during their engagement session at scenic Illinois Wesleyan campus.

A Fun Engagement Session at Scenic Illinois Wesleyan Campus

This sweet couple picked a gorgeous day to take advantage of the Illinois Wesleyan campus, which is also a special place for them as it is where they often take their dog Piper on long walks. During their engagement session, Kelly and Mike could not stop laughing and having fun with one another – a testament to their fun-loving relationship! These kinds of sessions make for the best photos because they show authenticity. Throughout the session, it was clear how much they truly enjoy each other’s company and how much they can’t wait to continue to do life together.

Mike and Kelly wed in a beautiful ceremony in November. Check out the photos here.

If you love Kelly & Michael’s scenic Illinois Wesleyan engagement session, you will also adore Kaylyn and Josh’s beautiful spring engagement session in Bloomington, IL.