bear with me...

When I make posts such as this one I've just got to ramble for a bit. It's therapeutic and for whatever reason writing truly helps me process...

Back in 2002, I sat in my future husband's family kitchen surrounded by his parents and four younger brothers. We were eating soup and it was the slightest bit awkwardly quiet. It was the first time I had been over to their house as the new girlfriend. Finally, my future father-in-law looked up from his soup and said, "Look boys! It's a girl!" And, so the awkwardness of it all was slightly relieved. Outside of that funny moment the other thing that sticks out at me about that time is that I remember distinctly looking around at a table of four younger brothers that all in some way or another reminded me of the man I had fallen in love with. And, so with them I fell in love, too. 

This past spring the next one down, Zach, got engaged and married the kind of girl that you fall in love with upon meeting. I stood at their rehearsal dinner and tried my hardest to say how much I loved Corey's oldest, youngest brother and how happy I was that he was marrying such a rockstar...all without crying. Of course, I did what happens to all of us when we fight tears. I did the ugly cry. 

I'm not even looking forward to doing the same thing this spring. Next May, Corey's next brother, Ben, is getting married. Ben, to me, reminds me the most of Corey. That's probably why we argue like we do. ;) But, also we laugh alot. We enjoy having deep, rich, drawn out conversations...all over text messages. Just tonight I explained to him that I should probably not text anymore since I was on the interstate driving and driving+texting=stupid. I finished the text with TTFN. He quickly texted back TTYN. For any of you other losers (I am NOT one of them...I just happen to know everything) that is what Paris says to the people after she dismisses them from her BFF show. TTYN=talk to you never which=funny. 

So, Ben... he's all mush-ily in love. I was a bit hesitant to jump on board with it all, but I have now fully surrendered to the fact that she is a wonderful fit. It just took me getting over my unasked-for-protectiveness-of-my-little-bro-in-law, Benny. You'll understand, I hope...it just took me by surprise. 

I was piled in the car with all four of my brother-in-laws heading to meet Corey for lunch in between his two medical school graduations. Both mine and Corey's parents were in a car tagging along behind us. Ben got a call and I knew from his first few words that he must be talking to that new girl he just started dating. I was already a bit surprised by that since I was always wanting Ben to date any girl-friend he had that I thought was cute. He had stated numerous times that he was not in any mood to have a girlfriend and was frankly quite happy being single. So, when Brittany came around I was surprised by his sudden change of emotions. As he got ready to get off the phone he said three words that literally made me gasp for air, look around at the other bros to confirm they had the same reaction I was having (which they were not!) and then finally catch my breath before asking very matter of factly, "What? You love what?" Ben was quick to remind me that Corey and I dated only two weeks before getting engaged. "Whatever. That was completely different." As best friends attached at the hip, we had practically been dating for five years. The only thing missing was us deciding to quit denying it. This girl. She was all brand new and stuff. This was totally different. 

I went on a rant asking him a million questions - How do you know you love her?, do you tell every girl you date you love her?, if you've only been dating for like two days just how long did you wait until you said 'i love you'?, do you know just how big those three words are?, those words are not to just be told to anyone!, and are you even old enough to say 'i love you'!?!?!?!?!?

And, so here we are. Sure enough this girl he had met made him feel different then he had ever felt before. And, so he knew. He loved her and it was going to take a lot more than a freakish, ranting sister-in-law to change that. It was if they were two souls who have been waiting their entire lives to meet each other. And, so when they did...they knew. There's just some things you can't deny. 

You know those cheesy, wonderful, romance movies that you love, but make you want to scream to all the single girls that that's not  really how love works? Well, for Ben and Brittany (who we endearingly refer to as Baber) it is. They met. They kissed. They're getting married. 

Lucky for me I was the one who got to venture out and spend a few hours laughing hysterically and documenting their you-guys-are-so-cute-it's-disgusting engagement session.

Oh, and dang. Their engagement is an entire hilarious blog post in itself. I'll save that for a rainy day. 

love this picture b/c that is the exact face Corey makes. 

Love this series...

Congratulations, MindFreak/Miley/Luda/Ben&Baber. I love you both very much. I look forward to the life we're going spend together growing old. I just hope if you ever babysit any of our kids, Ben, you don't expect us to pay you. 

Inspired

Thank you to my lovely friend, Cheryl Weaver, this delightful couple came into my life a few months ago. Scott and Chelsea were looking for a photographer for their '09 wedding and since Cheryl has yet to plunge into that world (you should & I know you're reading this!! ;) she referred them to me. I am so grateful. Chelsea and Scott are the type of couple that makes you want to go back to those days where you are newly and freshly in love, full of anticipation, hope and expectations for the life you now have ahead. The life ahead you have to live. Together. 

The first time we met to talk wedding was over wine. Our conversation flowed about how they met, what they do in their individual lives and what they picture as their wedding plans are being pieced together. I left our time together grateful that I had been the one chosen to photograph their wedding. What little I know of Scott and Chelsea, it's bound to be beautiful.

This past spring I was in Urban Outfitters drooling over all the artistic goodies their store puts out. I left with nothing, but their catalog, but to me that was enough. I sat at home and poured over the pages. The photography was amazing...the colors were soft and candy-like with lots of beautiful manipulations of the sun. I saved the magazine in hopes that my inspiration would have a chance to transpire into a photo shoot of some sort this year. Enter fall. I was at a park running when I suddenly stopped...yes, mainly because I was dry heaving, but also because I remembered the magazine and noticed the setting I'd been looking for all year was right in front of me. I went home and emailed Chelsea that night. "We've gotta do your engagements right away!" I was eager to photograph them with the inspiration I had found in the setting I had literally stumbled upon. 

I'm happy with what came out on the other side. You'll see what I'm talking about in the pictures of them in the "field" type setting. 

Enjoy. And, happy weekend to you all!  

...can't decide if I like this photo in color or b&w better...

p.s. his eyes are insanely blue. they are not photoshopped one single bit. 

I love it when a couple gets lost in each other...like they've forgotten for that split second that I'm there. Those make for the most powerful photos.

Kimberly & Michael ...their story...

Kimberly contacted me only months after I launched my website last year. As I prepared for the launch of my new business I said numerous times to numerous people that I would not be doing weddings. So, when Kimberly's email titled 'Wedding Photography?' came in I knew I'd have to disappoint someone. I was surprised though by her reply. She asked me again, "Are you sure you won't just do mine? We've been looking for a photographer and I just know you're the one for us." I was so flattered I agreed. 

I had no idea what it'd look like to shoot an entire wedding all by myself. But, then as you faithful blog readers know I photographed Corey's brother's wedding and I was hooked. I loved all aspects of it. The smiles, the energy, the family, friends, joy, excitement, anticipation, celebration. When done right, it's as if it's one of the last pure and good things left on Earth. 

Michael & Kimberly's day was no different. Their day unfolded just as it would in a fairy tale. 

Thank you, Kimberly for insisting I photograph your wedding. It was a blessing. God bless you as you slowly unwrap the gift of marriage.