Erica and Joseph are both natives to Southern California. So it was only natural that I would make the short trek to La Jolla to document their engagement on the beach. I met the gorgeous couple near a Starbucks and hopped in the car with them so that they could not only transport us to the location of their photos, but also to give me a tour of the lives that they had led during their relationship. My mind was blown to see the charming surroundings as I listened to each of them tell the story that led to their serendipitous meeting.
We whirred around the curving streets near downtown La Jolla as both Erica and Joseph told me that neither of them had wanted to go out the night that they ended up meeting. As we turned a corner, Erica pointed out her college dorms that included ocean views, while Joseph told me that he was dragged by his group of friends to a bar on the night that they met. It was Valentine’s Day and he didn’t have any intention of going out that night. He laughed as he told me that he was quickly ditched by these same friends as each of them found a girl who caught their attention… his friends dropped in domino effect. Erica, who had also been dragged out by a group of guy-friends that night, quickly noticed that her entourage had also dismantled and she had been left to her own devices.
Joseph, noticed Erica immediately, but he was thrown off by the group of guys she was with… not knowing if she was, in fact, connected to any of the guys within that group. But when he noticed that his chances were quickly slipping away from him as he watched Erica start to leave the bar… his inhibitions had to take a back seat, and he moved efficiently… bee-lining, actually… through the bar to strike up a conversation. They ended up talking for hours that night, and now… after 7 years of being together… they will be married later this Spring in front of their friends and family who have witnessed them grow up together. 
Erica’s favorite animal is the fennec fox. Favorite, might be a word that represents her affinity for this animal in an understated way… obsession might be more fitting. Yes, Erica is slightly obsessed with this small creature which she dubs as the cutest animal on earth. Joseph, being as acutely aware of Erica’s interests as he is, knew that there had to be a way to blow Erica’s mind not only with the proposal, but by making it an unforgettable moment in her life. He arranged to have Erica not only visit, but play with a 3 month old fennec fox. After Erica had checked this major life moment off of her bucket list, Joseph took the opportunity to drop to his knee and ask his beautiful girlfriend to be his gorgeous wife. She obviously said yes… and checked yet another moment off of her list of amazing moments to experience in life.
