They met as freshmen in their co-ed dorm at Drake. She thought he was cute, but knew he was shy. After almost a full semester, in December on her birthday, a card slid under her door. She opened the card, which was both a happy birthday wish and an invitation to go on a date.

They went out a few times, but mutually decided to just stay friends. After all, she says, who has a serious boyfriend as a freshman? Their paths parted that summer as he transferred colleges. She finished college, moved several times, and finally ended up back in her hometown of Iowa City years later. He finished college, lived in New York, California, and, by fate, moved to Iowa City. They both moved to town around the same time, but didn’t meet up until she was on RAGBRAI with a mutual friend of theirs. Since they were both newly-moved to the area and didn’t know a lot of people around (many of her old friends had moved), they started hanging out.

October 24, 2009 marked the beginning of their “second dating phase.” Though they were reunited in July, they spent several months getting to know each other again as friends before they revealed their true feelings for each other. It was that October night at a local sports bar with friends that he used the excitement of the Iowa football win over Michigan State to work up the nerve to kiss her goodnight. The kiss changed everything. The next day they went out on their “second first date.”

Photo above by Jen Madigan.

It was instant connection this time around and last December, a day after her birthday, she got a call while she was just finishing her run that he was going to take her out to eat. She had already been planning for that, but he told her to dress up because he had changed his mind about dinner location. In a scurry, she showered and dressed and they went out for a beautiful birthday dinner. She described it as a fun, relaxing date, drinking wine, and dining slowly. When they got back to their house, he gave her a birthday card. Inside, he had written a lengthy note, but, most memorably, mentioned that since their relationship had started with a card 9 years ago as freshmen in college, it was only fitting to use a card now… He got down on one knee and presented her with a ring and a question.

And after all those years and all those moves, amazingly, she still has the original card that he slipped under her door on her 19^th birthday. (It’s the one underneath on the right. The one that’s open is the one that he proposed with last December.)

It is a very special moment for me to capture a bride getting into her wedding dress. She’s surrounded by her closest friends and family and there’s both the “oohs” and “ahhs” from her bridesmaids as well as the moment when she sees herself for the first time as a bride. It’s such an intimate moment and I always love being able to witness it.

Both photos above by Jen Madigan.

Tara’s Cole Haan shoes were killer and were both borrowed (from one of her sisters) and blue.

Photo above left by Jen Madigan.

Gosh, she is gorgeous, isn’t she?

Both photos directly above by Jen Madigan.

Having met my brides before their wedding day, I always find it very fascinating to meet the bridesmaids. These are the chosen friends, hand-selected, to stand with her on the most important day of her life. To say that it’s an honor to be a bridesmaid is an understatement. To meet these special people gives so much more depth to who the bride is. In one way or many, they have all contributed to her life, to who she was, to who she has become. These beautiful women are Tara’s special ladies.

Tara’s mom made each of the ladies a bag for the day embroidered with their names.

Both photos directly above by Jen Madigan.

Tara and Jake chose not to have a First Look so we fudged the timeline a bit and made sure to get Tara secured away before the ceremony while I grabbed Jake and his groomsmen for some photos. Isn’t he handsome?

I love this picture for a million reasons, most of them revolving around Jake’s expression.

Though a little shy beforehand, Jake’s nephew pulled off a stunning walk down the aisle! He was a perfect little ring bearer.

Tara’s first glimpse of Jake when the doors were opened: priceless.

Photo directly above by Jen Madigan.

My view on the left and my second-shooter, the lovely Jen Madigan‘s, view on the right.

After the ceremony, I snuck Tara and Jake away for some photos together. If I had to choose, this would be my favorite. Their expressions are perfect happiness and I adore every bit of it.

Photo above right by Jen Madigan.

Coming soon: Tara & Jake’s beautiful reception at the Sheraton, downtown Iowa City, where everyone got their party on and the DJ kept the dance floor packed. Stay tuned!