Love & Lost Diamonds

"Hey, do you have those earrings I handed you?" "Oh, sure," I quickly answer. Really inside I was trying to remember just what earrings she was talking about.  It was day three of the bike tour (I was doing this shoot at my stopover in Nashville) and I had officially gotten less sleep than I had since my college days. But, her words made a synapsis fire and I was starting to remember in the flurry of our time together just what she was talking about. I quickly reached my hand into my pocket to fish them out. Nothing. Next pocket...dig, dig, dig harder.... Empty. She looks at me with bug eyes and with a whisper says, "They're diamonds." Diamonds from her fiance standing a few feet away. 

I'm such an idiot. She totally handed me over her new family jewels and I'm in so much of a hurry I don't even take the time to make sure they're safe, warm, sleeping away in the bottom of my pocket??!

The sun had completely set and we had spent a good bit of our time shooting in a gravel parking lot. Great place to lose silver lined diamonds. I had a friend who was driving to the hotel we were staying at to eat dinner with us, scheduled to arrive in 10 minutes, not including the hours of editing I had before my head could hit the pillow, and my night was getting ready to consist of me crawling around all night looking for diamonds. As quickly as I imagined the potential my night held, I prayed. Not in a half-hearted way. In an "Oh, God please show me your kindness in this moment." 

So, we walked, beginning to retrace our steps. Through the parking lot, jay-birded it across the street and started down the sidewalk to the gravel...  Suddenly something sparkled. There in the light. The light of the street light, I saw it! A diamond! "There's one," I excitedly yelled. And, then with complete and utter relief, only a few steps ahead, there lied the other beauty. Thank you, God. Your kindness has not gone unnoticed. 

Now that we all know the diamonds are safe, on to Scott & Emily. They sat over dinner staring at each other with a total newness. It was a blind date, that led to another and another and then diamond earrings, a diamond ring for a specific finger and a scheduled wedding (that I'm thrilled to be shooting!) next summer. Emily and I went to the same middle school in Knoxville. It's stuff like this that make me enjoy my job all that much more. I love meeting new people, hearing their story, watching their family, but it's also fun to catch up with someone that I hadn't seen in quite some time. 

Emily, love looks good on you. Scott, so nice to meet you. I'm looking forward to the celebration of your wedding next summer. And, Anna (Scott's daughter), you are a doll. 

*****

Life is good right now. It's really busy and with it being my first year in business I'm trying to find the most efficient way to stay on top of everything. The wedding went great on Saturday. The weather was amazing, the bride looked gorgeous and everyone had a full-out good time. I'll be posting pictures from this soon enough. Until then, to all the families awaiting their proofs to be posted, they're coming! I'm working hard & as fast as possible. Thanks for your patience.