Stephen was just being a super nice, outgoing guy when he met Michele at church and invited her to his small bible study group. Which is different for him. Not the 'nice' thing - he's one of those sweet-faced engineers with just enough lovable quirk that he only has to smile his humble grin for every person within ten yards to melt into a puddle of mush around him. What came out of left field for him was the 'outgoing' part. He was never so straightforward with people he just met, even though it was just a simple invitation to a small group. A little later, he even invited her along to a hike with his friends.
He wasn't asking her out. He seriously was just being nice to the new girl at church.
Michele normally wasn't so straightforward. She was one of those girls that was waiting for the right guy to come along and didn't want to mess with fate. If she was going to fall in love, then it would happen naturally. So when she thought this adorable guy with the heart-melting grin kept 'asking her out' (again, he was just being nice) she was delighted, but was disappointed that he asked her on a group hiking date instead of getting to know her one on one. So for the first time in her life, she let fate take a time out and let him know that if he wanted to get to know her, it would have to be just the two of them over coffee.
He was shocked. Apparently this new girl at church was into him. With this brand new knowledge, her bright smile, warm eyes, and joyful laugh came into full focus within his heart and all of a sudden he wasn't just being nice anymore. He was falling in love.
Steve and Michele win the Most Adorable Smiles Award because they have no idea just how contagious, sweet, and adorably heart-melting their smiles are! And when we heard their utterly cute story - two people totally stepping out of their character to pursue each other - we melted like ice cream in July. After Michele's straightforward email to Steve, they met for coffee at Pannikin in Encinitas, one of the coolest coffee shops in all of San Diego county. So it only made sense to head back to the scene of their first date to capture their engagement session.
I absolutely fell in love with the vibe of this coffee shop. Open, rustic, quirky, and totally welcoming of our cameras - my kind of place!
Downstairs they have their coffee roasting room and they were so gracious to let us hang out!
Riiiiiiiight??? What did I say about those smiles? Is your heart melting into a puddle right now?
Apparently the building used to be the train station for Encinitas, so it's got tons of historic character. P.S. Apparently, they hold wedding receptions here too... *hint hint*
*love*
One of my favorites!! How can you not totally fall for these two?
After hanging out at Pannikin for their coffee shop engagement session, we walked on down to a nearby surf spot and spent a little time playing paddle ball on the beach. Yep, you heard that right. Tomorrow they're going to be playing paddle ball in front of our cameras and they were ADORABLE at it too!
Hugs,
Erin
Colleen - Congratulations on the engagement! The pictures show how happy the two of you are. Can hardly wait until the big day.
Vanessa Bradshaw - It’s a fact,your smiles simply melt our hearts. Your love is so obvious and sweet!
Wendy Faust - Michele, your smile says it all! Can’t wait to meet this man who’s captured your heart. The photos are gorgeous. YOU are gorgeous! So happy for you both! xo
Errik Watari - Congratulations Michele (and Stephan). I can’t be more happy for the both of you. Cheers !!!!!!
Mary Ann - Great photos!
Debbie Johnson - Love all the happy pictures…they make me happy!
Sandy Werking - I love the photos, very beautiful setting and couple! I am very happy for both of you!
Janay - can’t help but feel the love through these! Tres adorable!
may - GREAT! You look so happy.
Barbara Fujioka - Michele, you have such a big smile, you are very happy and it shows.
alsion - You guys look so happy. Great pictures
Jali - What a photogenic couple you two are. Very sweet in person too!! Glad we got to meet Steve at the reunion!
Kristy - “She (Aunty Michele) looks soooo pretty!!!! —Lauren Murai
Lauren Yoon - Your smiles are the best! So happy for you, Michelle!
judy gress - I loved all the photos. Looking forward to meeting this remarkable guy!!! You radiate joy and love!!!! Hang on to the photographer. The photos are precious. Cheers to you both!!! Judy
Barbara Fujioka - More I look as these the more I like them.
Barbara Fujioka - I can see the love you have for each other in these photos.
Vanessa Benavente - You guys make an adorable couple:)
Damen - Caffeinated love!
Dana - Love the pictures!
Tish Jorgenson - Great pictures!
Natalie - Adorable photos!!!!
craig fujioka - Who are these people?!?! Just kidding, Love you Guys and love the pictures!
Gloria - Congratulations!! You two look so happy and so blessed. These pictures capture the love and joy in your hearts~~<3 Absolutely lovely!
Gay Kunimitsu - Bravo! The artists bring out the love and personalities of Michele and Steve…indeed, they captured the tickle way down deep of those in love!
Sheila - Especially in the black & white photos you can see the vivid color of their love for each other!
lita - Wonderful pictures!! You both look so happy!
Lynn KAU - What a beautiful love story in pictures. The pictures just radiate their joy!
Lisa B - Adorable smiles indeed! What a great story! Beautiful photos!!
Kelly - So much love! Can’t wait to see what kind of happy future is about to unfold for you two!
Judy & Phyllis - We LOVE Steve and welcome Michele into our circle of friends – SO excited for the Nov. EVENT.
Aimee Haeussler - These pictures are amazing! I am so excited for you two and looking forward to seeing what God will do in your lives. I’m praying for you guys
Vince Matsudaira - Your cheeks have got to be sore from all those smiles captured so nicely.
Wendy - Great engagement pics guys!
Barbara Fujioka - Loved the photos. Look forward to seeing the next seesion of photos.
Laila Khoury-Chamoun - Absolutely Beautiful pics! Congratulations to a beautiful couple
James Fujioka - Nice Photos.
Sarah Sanchez - Love the pictures!
Wendy - Wow!! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL pictures (and people)!
Megan - Congrats to the happy couple, beautiful pictures!!
Brendt Chang - very nice pics Michelle! I’ll hopefully see you in November!
Thao - Love the pics! So happy for you guys!
Mark Hirai - Cool pics! You both look great!
Michelle Delgado - Beautiful pictures and such great story!
Keri Parish - I absolutely love these! Your joy and laughter makes mmy heart smile!!
I’m so excited for you…xoxox ~ Keri
Cati - LOVE IT! Love them!
Congrats, Michele!
Kellie Nosse - Love it!!!
Pete Futa - Wow! These are amazing. You managed to take full advantage of the colors of the coffee shop and give it a light of romance!! The smiles are so beautiful since they are genuine.
Danielle Anderson - Love the pictures… very clever and super sweet!! Congrats!!
Encinitas Engagement, Part Two Stephen and Michele | The Youngrens | San Diego Photographers - [...] you just fall head over heels in love with the adorable Steve and Michele in their coffee house engagement yesterday? Their smiles are so quirky and fabulous that I can barely stand it! After shooting at [...]
Stefanie - These are beautiful pictures. Blessings!
lynn - Wow! These are beautiful and the perfect location to capture those first memories between two beautiful people that will soon be “one”! Love, love, love!!!
Sarah - Love these!!!
Heidi Mejia - These pics were incredible at capturing Michelle’s joyful spirit. So fun to browse through. =)
The Boyers - Beautiful pictures of a beautiful couple. God’s continued blessings!
Alex - Awesome pics Michelle
Sean - Congratulations, you two. Wonderful pictures.
Chon - These photos remind me of the song “So Much In Love” by The Tymes. Great photos. Great friend. Great couple.
Dawn - These two are tooooo cute! And being recently engaged myself, I hope I can find as wonderful a photographer!
Rebecca Hampshire - Wonderful pictures, full of love. Congratulations!
Helen Collins - Wonderful! Thank you for making me smile. My husband and I had our first date at a coffee house 15 years ago. A great way to start life together.
Jeanne Bailey - You both look so happy!
Amanda - Amazingly fun & cute!
Darren - Great pictures!
Chris - Awesome!
Pam Emery - You both look soooo happy…good start for married life…happy together…through all kinds of weather..Pam
Sarah Knutson - Beautiful pictures & beautiful people! God really does write amazing love stories
Melanie Verreault - Gorgeous pictures! I’ve enjoyed so much seeing you guys together growing in your relationship. I’m so looking forward to Steve becoming an official part of the family! (Of course, he’s already survived one family reunion!)
Shannon - So beautiful! Love all the pictures and seeing you so happy! Congrats!
Danielle - Wowza!!! These are the most amazing engagement pics I have ever seen!!!!
Belinda - Beautiful pictures
charity - woo michelleeee so excited for you!
Michele Fujioka - Thanks guys! I’m madly in love with Stephen and so blessed to have the Youngrens as our friends and photographers. They are SUPER talented and SO FUN!!! We had an amazing time with them that night…one we will never forget!
Aron Darling - So Happy for you guys!
Erik R - Wow, Congratulations and best wishes Michele and Steve! Great photos!
Dustin and Cherisa Matsudaira - Such great photos and a beautiful couple.
Michelle Fulton - Loved these pictures!!!
Carol Ann Methvin - Ahhh…you’ve captured a true love story! Beautiful pictures!
Michelle Fulton - Steve is such a sweetheart and I am so happy for him and his beautiful bride, Michele. I look forward to meeting her one day.
Michelle Fulton (engaged to Tim Peifer)
Lois Morrow - We knew this relationship was right the first moment we saw Steve and Michele smile at each other!
Maggie Knol - I happen to love both of these people. Steve is my youngest son!
Crista Whitney - aaaaaaadorable!
Molly Salimi - Oh the Pannikin! I totally thought you would have been here before! Christine and I l.o.v.e. this place. This whole post just made me smile. Beautiful couple! And I’m totally digging Michele’s dress!
Marisa McBride - My neighborhood coffee shop. Love these photos! Great job.
Harmony Pyper - So cute!! Love Pannikin!!!