Christian & Renee || cantigny gardens, il wedding photographer

Decades before either of them were born their grandparents went to the same church, their parents attended the same school, and their mothers have been the best of friends for years, so it was only natural that the two of them grow up as playmates.  They were friends long before Christian realized that it wasn't *cool* to play with girls (because of cooootieesss!) and while their friendship faded a bit while they both went through that awkward 11/12 year old phase (where you can't look the opposite gender in the eye) by the time they were in their teens they were back to being buds again.
They went to each others birthday parties, he taught her how to fish and play chess, and she returned the favor by teaching him how to do proper jumping jacks.  He was the older brother she never had, and he never thought of her as anything more than a little sister.  Seriously.  They told each other everything, including who their latest crush was, until one day when Renee asked Christian if he liked anyone and he had to admit that he did... and it was her.
It hasn't taken long for their lifetime friendship to turn into something so much sweeter and more meaningful to the two of them.  So while they have pictures of the two of them together dating back to their sandbox days, a few weeks ago when I was in Chicago for a wedding Renee scheduled a session with me to celebrate their almost year of being "officially" together, and to document a lifetime friendship that has turned into a forever kind of love.

Much Love, Jessica Shae