From a very young age, he played hockey and she did gymnastics. At the age of eleven their families began car pooling to and from gymnastics and hockey practices. Brooke in the back seat and Bryan in the front they never spoke a word to each other. But who knew the first day of grade 6 would bring these two together for life!

Brooke had been at her elementary school since grade 3 and was simply making her way to her new classroom when her teacher asked “Brooke, can you show our new student to the gym?”. She turned to look at who this new student was…her stomach flipped, it was Bryan! Her speed walking skills kept her in front of him all the way to the gym! Not saying a word, she simply pointed to gym doors. Little did they know over that school year they would become best friends. They continued on to the same highschool here in London. In grade 10 Bryan was drafted in the first round to the Ottawa 67′s. At the age of 16 that was the beginning of their long distance relationship. Brooke visited him in Ottawa with her family and a few years later found herself driving 4hrs to Kingston as he was traded to the Frontenacs. Then, as luck would have it, Bryan was traded to the London Knights in 2005 and not only did they enjoy an amazing year together in their hometown. But, Brooke witnessed first-hand the Knights road to their Memorial Cup victory!!! What a fun year! After that year, Bryan moved to the USA to pursue his hockey career while Brooke finished her undergrad at UWO and later her B.Ed. in Windsor. Eight years of being apart consumed much of their early relationship but with many long phone calls, road trips, flights and visits that always flew by too fast they made it through together!

Bryan and Brooke are now enjoying life together and find with time, 14yrs to be exact, comes the life they always dreamed of. Bryan is currently playing with the Carolina Hurricanes and Brooke is a successful gymnastics coach and elementary/secondary school teacher. This summer they bought their first house together, got engaged and recently expanded their family….a chocolate lab named Griffin! Their relationship is a true testament to the old saying….”good things come to those who wait”!

Our Lee Mann Productions team had an amazing time with Brooke and Bryan. They were wonderful to work with and so enthusiastic and natural together! Notice the shot where Brooke tried her gymnastics on a fallen tree!

A little behind the scenes…LMP seems to like the water!

The LMP team was so excited to meet up again with a wonderful couple to do an After Shoot at Brooke’s parent’s farm in Aylmer.
We’ll share a glimpse back to their wedding day first, just 3 weeks before their After Shoot. Awakening in the morning of August 8 the rain was non-stop and the forecast said 100% rain all day.
Arriving for the bride’s photos at the family farm we couldn’t believe the preparations that had gone into the place. The drive shed was breathtaking with not a detail missed. Brooke’s dad and mom had worked since the engagement was announced a year ago to fulfill Brooke’s dream of having their reception in the transformed now beautiful drive shed. With a fresh coat of paint on the barn, beautiful window boxes everywhere, a bar that Jonathon and Brooke’s dad made that was incredible, and beautiful decorated tables draped chiffon and mini lights there was not a detail missing in the place. You could see your reflection in the hardwood dance floor that Brooke’s dad had made and everything was ready for the party when we arrived. Everything was perfect….except for the weather! We never let it stop our team so we brought lots of umbrellas for the wedding party and bride and groom and had a great time capturing the story of their day. It was a little damp but Brooke and Jonathon and their wedding party and family and friends had such an amazing party and so unique that it didn’t matter after a while that the rain never stopped until the end of the night. Wherever you were on August 8 you might remember the rainiest day of the summer….but even that made special memories for this couple.
On September 1st, we were so excited for the team to go and do an After Shoot back at the farm with Brooke and Jonathon.
It was a beautiful evening with our beautiful couple and we’d love to share a few shots.
We wish you years of happiness and fun in your life together Brooke and Jonathon!