A few weeks ago, Brent and I traveled to New York City to shoot a wedding and stayed a few extra days for a little getaway! We met and spent time with some wonderful people, enjoyed delicious food (and Starbucks!), visited a dear friend and got to hang out at Squarespace (thanks, Em!), marveled in awe at beautiful views of the city, walked like a million steps, and dreamt about living there one day.
My highlight? Friendly squirrels eating cherries from the hands of park-goers.
"And I think we are one of those couples with a long story when people ask how we found each other. I will see her every now and then, and maybe one year, she'll be with somebody, and the next year, I'll be with somebody and it's gonna take a long time. And then it's perfect. I'm in no rush."
Michael Scott
There are so many things I adore about Nich and Jeni, but the most important one? We all share a love of The Office and spent quite awhile bonding and laughing over some of our favorite moments from the show. :) This quote reminded me of them because a) they love Michael Scott and b) they have a long story, not exactly like the one Michael describes here, but certainly one that's gone through a lot over the years since they first met.
I love who Nich and Jeni are. They met when they were young and already they've shared in so many seasons of life, growing together both as individuals and as a couple. Their love is both "head-over-heels-totally-smitten" and "deep-and-stands-the-test-of-time." One of my favorite questions to ask during my time with couples is, "When was a moment that that you were most proud of one another?" I usually don't make it a point to actually hear their answers so the moments are more intimate for them, but I love to read the expressions on each of their faces as they share their answers. Neither Nich nor Jeni hesitated and they both had the sweetest smiles on their faces while they listened to each other.
They share together in the more serious parts of life, but they also don't take themselves too seriously and they really know how to have fun together!
See below for examples of them always smiling and laughing together.
When Jeff & Liz first told us that they were expecting, I cried.
When we met Emme for the first time, I cried. Like, a lot.
And last night as I went through these images, I cried again.
Emme is the cutest, sweetest, most content little girl - and that alone is enough to make me want to cry! But watching two of my best friends love one another in a new way on their journey of parenthood, love this precious little life they created SO fully and unconditionally, and that honor it is for them to be allowing us to share in some of those moments? I'm crying right now just thinking about it!
I love this little family & I can't wait to see Emme look at these photos one day and see how LOVED she has been from the very start.
"I knew when I met you, an adventure was going to happen."
Winnie the Pooh
Jerod and Angela, where do I begin? They are truly themselves at all times, so easy to love, and seriously funny. The few hours we were together honestly felt more like just a few minutes! Their interactions were so sweet and natural, and you'll see a lot of them in this amazing pose they eased into on their own with zero instruction from me.
I love stories. Every person has a story, every story has value and impact, and I love hearing all of the unique ways that people come together. Jerod and Angela's story resonates with me in a special way - a relationship that grew over time. Lots of time, through many different seasons, developing their friendship and refining their love for one another. The reason it resonates so well with me is because that's what marriage is. It's this incredibly world-changing, beautiful, difficult, rewarding, crazy, sort-of-weird-sometimes experience of two people choosing to grow together and love one another through every kind of season imaginable.
Most days I honestly can't believe I have the privilege of being able to play a small part in these stories and that is why I have no problem saying over and over again how much of an honor it is to be able to do what I do. I get to capture some of the most precious pieces of these stories, to witness their beginnings, and to build relationships with so many amazing people.
Anyways, Jerod and Angela - my excitement for you both is overwhelming. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for you together!
It takes some very special people to take a rainy day and fill it with sunshine, even in the gloomiest weather. Tim and Ema are those people - taking every measure to be certain their guests were enjoying themselves and taken care of. They are selfless, sweet, and seriously two of the smartest people I know - fully equipped to weather all of life's storms. Literally. Also, they had sticky buns instead of cake!
Theirs is a story long in the making and it was such an honor to witness their union.
A HUGE thanks to their families for making us feel at home with them, and a huge thanks to my incredible husband who was by my side the entire day.
