THE STORY OF CHRISTINE AND LORE Lore: I knew as soon as I met Christine that I loved everything about her. She is one of the bravest, most beautiful, most authentic, strongest, funniest, and most inspiring people you could ever hope to meet; she is also someone who gives those around her the safety and acceptance to be their truest, fullest selves. She became my closest and dearest friend from the very start, but for a whole variety of reasons (some of which seemed valid, many of which even I knew were bullshit) I told myself that we could never be partners. That is, until Substantia entered the picture.... Christine: Spending time with Substantia changed the entire trajectory of my life. From the moment she stepped into our lives I knew everything was about to change. My shoot with Substantia was supposed to be about self empowerment and it turned into authentic connection and walls breaking down between Lore and I, walls we had worked really hard to build. Lore and I have shared a connection that is unlike any other since the moment we met...I have loved them deeply since our first hello and because of my life at the time, a deep friendship was all that could happen. Lore: So, long story short... we were both photographed by Substantia during the same session, during which she asked if we were together as a couple. The sweetest of awkward silences ensued, because neither Christine nor I had verbalized the feelings we had for each other. With her infinite wisdom and insight, Substantia then slightly changed the question to whether we were okay with people assuming we were a couple, based on our photos together. We were both able to comfortably answer yes. However, just having had the questions asked shifted something within us both... and then the tender vulnerability of being photographed together (while eating pie, nonetheless!) led us deeper into the love we shared than either of us could deny. After that photo session, we knew we had to talk..