High School Sweethearts, Paint Fights, and a Lot of Bubbles
A blanket on the grass, paint on their hands, bubbles floating through the air. Chelsee (she/her) and Ally’s (she/her) session with Lillians Lenss feels less like a photoshoot and more like an afternoon spent being completely themselves. There’s laughter, a little bit of chaos, and the kind of ease that comes from knowing the person beside you has been part of your story for a long time.
Their photos are playful and colourful, but behind them is a relationship that has grown alongside late-night drives, college milestones, and learning how to navigate adulthood together. What started with marching band practices and a prom proposal has slowly turned into something bigger, shaped by shared routines, creative hobbies, and the small ways they continue to show up for each other every day.
From Marching Band to Promposals
We met in high school when Chelsee was a senior and Ally was a junior. Even though we both played in band, we didn’t really start talking until the end of the first semester, when we immediately clicked. After a “very long” six month talking stage, Chelsee asked Ally to prom and also asked her to officially be her girlfriend. Ally said yes, and that same day she came out to her mom.
We only had about four months together before Chelsee moved away to college, so we spent some time doing long distance while Ally finished high school. Chelsee still drove back for concerts, prom and any chance to see each other. Now, just under two years later, we both attend college together. Chelsee is studying to get her doctorate in Pediatric Physical Therapy and Ally is studying Art Education.
Growing Up Together, One Milestone at a Time
When Ally came to college and we weren’t doing long distance anymore, everything just kind of fell into place. Campus became so much more fun when you have your person encouraging you to go to class or grab lunch between busy days. We still haven’t lived together yet, but learning how to navigate college and adulthood side by side has been really special.
One of our first big milestones was a trip to Colorado. Ally surprised Chelsee with tickets to see Gracie Abrahams at Red Rocks for our anniversary, which also ended up being Chelsee’s very first concert. It was our first trip planned completely on our own, and even though figuring out everything felt like real “adulting,” it was so much fun exploring somewhere new together and making those memories.
The Little Things We Love Most About Each Other
Chelsee: One of the things I love most about Ally is how creative and unique she is. She’s so thoughtful and always goes out of her way to make handmade gifts or say something silly to get me out of my head. She’s also the second oldest in her family, and watching her with her little sisters is amazing. They call her their “second mother” because she always shows up for them and takes care of them in every possible way.
Ally: Chelsee’s kindness is my favorite thing about her. No matter who someone is or how they treat her, she still chooses kindness. She’s the kind of person who will bring you coffee and flowers when you’re having a rough week or wake up early to help you feel your best before a big day. She always makes sure the people around her know they’re loved.
Our Kind of Date Day
A typical date day usually starts with food, which Ally almost always gets to pick because she’s the biggest foodie or “big pack,” as Chelsee calls her. After that we usually do something crafty like painting pottery, paint by numbers, or making little gifts for our moms and sisters. We might do a little shopping, and we always end the night with skincare, snacks, movies, and some rotting in bed scrolling TikTok until we fall asleep.
Showing Up for Each Other
Chelsee: I try my best to see Ally’s perspective and support her in ways that fit what she needs. I show up for the things that matter to her and love listening when she talks about new art techniques or anything she’s passionate about so I can encourage her and be part of it.
Ally: The biggest way I support Chelsee is just being by her side through everything. I’m not always great at putting feelings into words, but I try to show up through the good and the bad and whatever life throws at her, even if most of the time my advice is very dumb and unhelpful.
A Colourful, Messy Kind of Photoshoot
Chelsee: It was everything I could’ve dreamed of. We had never met Lillian before, I just saw her ad and messaged her right away. From the moment we arrived she made us feel comfortable and safe being ourselves. We could laugh, be silly, and make dumb comments while she chatted with us and guided the whole session. It was simply perfect and I will definitely be hiring her again!
Ally: The whole experience felt like a silly, messy, fun date. We had so much fun messing around with paint and bubbles, maybe a little too much fun. Our love is messy and fun and so so colorful, and it really felt like Lillians Lenss captured that perfectly while being such a kind and good vibes photographer.
Dreaming About What Comes Next
In the near future, we’re hoping to move in together while we finish college at the University of Kansas. Chelsee is studying Pediatric Physical Therapy and Ally is studying Art Education, and we’re both excited about building our careers and starting this next chapter side by side.
Beyond that, we imagine a future filled with travel, new experiences, and eventually getting married and starting a family together. We both picture a home of our own someday, maybe with a white picket fence and at least three little mini versions of us running around.
Photography by Lillians Lenss
