They set January 23 as their wedding day, and the plans were all starting to come together. Then she noticed something unusual during a routine self-exam, a lump that was soon diagnosed as breast cancer. Kariann and Tim's story is one of courage in the face of uncertainty, of love shining through the darkness. As Kariann underwent months of difficult treatments, Tim was faithfully by her side, proving he would truly be there for her in sickness and in health. He even shaved his head in solidarity, along with several fellow members of their police department (to see our photos from Kariann's head-shaving fundraiser, click here)

After months of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy, Kariann finally went back to work at the police department, and they chose a new wedding date. It seemed perfectly fitting then to schedule their engagement session for January 23, the date that would have been their wedding day. We met downtown at Lincoln Park, and had just a perfect afternoon. 

The light was just gorgeous as we ventured into the honeycomb for some sweet shots...

Kariann and Tim are both police officers, so of course we had to take some fun ring shots with their badges!

This location is so beautiful - as I was shooting I couldn't help but think about everything these two have been through together, and that they now can truly see the light at the end of the tunnel.

My heart feels so full looking at these two together...

We ended the evening at the skating rink, Kariann and Tim huddled close together. I was reminded of 
1 Corinthians 13:13: "Three things will last forever - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love." 

I simply cannot wait to be part of Kariann and Tim's wedding this fall... To see all of Kariann and Tim's engagement photos, click here