Laura & Rick. Forever.

I have so much to say about this wedding. So much that I could fill an entire blog alone with words, but I will keep it short because it is 11:09 on a Friday night & I should be spending time with my husband instead of blogging, but I can’t help it.

This was the most challenging day I have ever faced as a photographer. Driving to this wedding, I didn’t know if my Tuto, my 92 year old grandfather, one of the most important people in my life, was dead or alive. He had had life or dead surgery the night before, and the odds were not in is favor. It was unexpected, and I was devastated, but I have chosen a line of work that I can’t just “call in” I have chosen to do something that people depend on you no matter what your circumstances. And it hadn’t affected me until now. I woke up the morning of the 23rd almost numb. I had to get dressed and drive to Nashville. I didn’t want to make the call. I didn’t want to know if he had made it. I couldn’t handle the news.

Even if he did make it last night, he wasn’t expected to make it the next. I had to lean on my husband for support. On the way to the wedding my phone rang, I had already instructed my family not to call me with the news… they know that I am the emotional one when it comes to him. It was my sister Jenica. I made Wes answer it. He looked at me and said, “He made it” The doctors were amazed that he lived, and it barely happened, but he was there. He was there at least long enough to call the family in.

I sighed the biggest sigh of relief I have ever had, but still my heart was troubled. I wasn’t sure how I was going to maintain throughout this day. We arrived. We made it to the location. And immediately something happened in my heart. I fell in love. I know that our God is sovereign. He made me have a wedding on this day. He knew what would happen to my Tuto. He knew I needed something that I LOVED to help me make it through the day. He gave me the most fabulous wedding I had had in a while. I am not saying the previous weddings were awful. But this wedding, this wedding was so laid back, the bride was a breath of beauty. The groom and groomsmen were so easy to work with and could laugh off anything. The location was such a joy. I was so glad to be working somewhere new, somewhere I had never seen. This is the reason I do what I do. No matter what the circumstances. No matter how bad my life feels like it is falling apart, I LOVE my job. I love my couples. I get to experience something most people have to have a special invitation to, I get a front row seat. I get to spend as much time with the bride as her closest friend. I get to build relationships that are one of a kind, a kind that will last a lifetime.

I had dinner this week with a bride I shot TWO YEARS ago. She is having a baby in August. I am going to be able to meet the baby as soon as she is born. This is why I do what I do. I get to live life with people.

Laura and Rick. Thank you SO much for choosing THIS day. I needed you this day. I loved this day. You are such a beautiful, special couple. I know God is in your marriage. I know he was watching down on you that day. I know he was there, and not just because I needed him, but because you are his. I hope I get to be apart of your lifes and share in your journey for years to come. Be blessed, and enjoy a few of your shots.

Cutest Flower girl on the face of the earth… didn’t let Pooh Bear down all day. Update on my grandfather: They called the family in, yep, the day after the wedding they took him off the ventilators. He was expected to die. He was “suppose” to die. But I come from a long line of stubborn men.. haha… they took him off and the man started breathing on his own. Yep, my brother even flew in from North Dakota, he was suppose to fall asleep forever… and he said no. I spent the entire next week driving back and forth to Huntsville to be with him and my Nana…. by Wednesday he was able to tell me he loved me…. by that Saturday he completely realized I lived out of town. He knew me… and this is something I will hold in my heart forever. He is doing much better, but every day I realize is a blessing…. but not just for him. For all of us. That is why I always say,