I always love shooting at the elegant St. Paul College Club on stately Summit Avenue in Saint Paul, MN. Erika and James were a breeze to work with; ideal clients. Interested in reality, they went about their business and let me photograph the day as it unfolded, focusing on candid moments. After seeing each other for the first time that day, they read their wedding vows to each other in private, which was a beautiful moment full of joy. Erika shared the history of their courtship below.
My side of our story began before James and I ever met.
“In the early summer of 2018, I learned that my estranged father, who lived across the country, had advanced early-onset dementia. That season was full of heartbreak and complicated grief. But in the middle of it all, I made myself a promise: I would not let this pain define me or rob me of love and joy. I remember saying to myself, “Erika, if you let this ruin your chance at happiness, I’ll never forgive you.”. Albeit heavy, this is real life.
That promise sparked something in me. I began to reflect on the kind of partner I hoped to one day find, and I even wrote out a list of qualities I dreamed of: playful yet grounded, adventurous yet content with lazy days, intelligent, kind, thoughtful, supportive, confident without arrogance, able to make me laugh, and above all—someone who would truly listen.
Fast forward to January 2019. My father had passed away, and I was between jobs, not actively looking for anyone. Still, to pass the time, I sometimes swiped on Bumble—the dating app where women send the first message. James and I matched in late February. I nearly let the match expire, but James used his one daily time extension to keep the door open. That simple gesture felt genuine, so I decided to reach out.
Our first messages were lighthearted. He liked that I wrote about playing Super Smash Bros. and eating chicken wings, and I loved his obvious affection for his cat and his interest in nature. After a few weeks of chatting (and a couple of canceled attempts), I finally worked up the courage to meet him in person despite some intense anxiety.
On March 7, 2019, we met at the Neighborhood Café in St. Paul. Over dinner, I learned that James was finishing his master’s degree at the University of Minnesota, and I assured him that I had just secured the start date for my new job. I also learned that James was, quite literally, a bee scientist—which felt serendipitous, given that we had met on Bumble. From that very first date, we found comfort and joy in each other’s company. We didn’t want the night to end, so we made plans for our second date the very next day.
Exactly one year later, the world shut down. COVID-19 forced everything into fast-forward. A few months into lockdown, we decided to move in together, beginning what we jokingly call our “never-ending sleepover.” We crammed into a 1.5-bedroom apartment with our three cats and shared my full-sized bed, figuring out how to live as partners while navigating a global pandemic. The mystery of new love faded quickly—but what was revealed instead was even more extraordinary: our love endured and deepened. Though it hasn’t been without its ups and downs, our love has only gotten better over the years, aging like a fine wine.
In September 2023, we bought our first house together. A beautiful maple tree stood tall in the front yard, and a month later, James proposed to me beneath its branches. Since then, life has been full of milestones and joy—adopting our sweet dog, Henry, taking unforgettable trips, and planning the wedding we’ve been dreaming of.
Looking back, I can see how that promise I made to myself in 2018 came full circle. The grief didn’t break me. Instead, it opened me up to love—and to James, who embodies every single quality I once wrote on that list. I have truly found my happily ever after.”
- Erika
If you want to follow me on Instagram, I have two accounts: @bradleyhanson is my personal one, all square images from my iPhone since 2008. @bradleyhansonphotography is my professional portfolio, a mix of weddings, family and portraits, as well as black and white and color landscape images. If you are still reading this far, you’ve already figured out how to find my website…
I am a Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota based wedding photographer, specializing in documentary style weddings and Indian/Hindu weddings all over the world. To see more of my wedding work, click the wedding galleries under the portfolio heading. To inquire about my rates and availability, call me at 206-393-8292, email me at bradley@bradleyhanson.com or fill out the contact form (click the “contact” link on the top right above this paragraph).
