'Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You.....'

Instead of just posting about sessions, weddings, and other events... I'd make this a little more personal.  Although it's a huge part of who I am and what I love, I'm a lot more than just a woman with a camera and a passion for capturing life. :)

Everyone has a story.  I love hearing life stories.... people are honestly just amazing.  Everyone has struggles, triumphs, losses, hills and valleys... all the things that makes us so unique.  This is a part of my story.

The most important parts of my life, hands down, are my relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and my husband - so I thought this is where I'll start to tell my story.

I married my best friend, soul mate and life partner Paul on June 20, 2008.  We've known each other since high school, but we're not exactly  what you'd call high school sweethearts.  I was 14, he was 15 when we dated for a whopping 2 months.. I switched schools, so we naturally ended up just going our separate ways.

Fast forward 7 years... MySpace was the big thing, and I was looking for friends from old schools and groups when I stumbled on Paul's page.  It said he was in a relationship, so I decided to respect that and not send him a message. I'd just wanted to be friends, but I knew him speaking to an old girlfriend wouldn't be right when he's dating someone else. Some time passed, and it came out that he was no longer in a relationship.. so I decided to take the plunge and send him a message and see how he was, what he'd been up to all this time. He responded quickly, and our messages back and forth got longer.. and longer... and longer, until we decided we should get together and catch up.  A lot happens in 7 years. :)

 We planned for him to come over, and decide from there if we should go to dinner or something.  We started talking.... and never stopped, never ended up going anywhere.  Just talked most of the night, and we were basically inseparable from that point on.  I'd never dreamed that he'd want to date me again, it hadn't even crossed my mind as a possibility until that night.... needless to say, I was thrilled. :)

Eight months later, he secretly went and spoke with my parents while I was at work, asking for permission to marry me.  He's a trooper.. because apparently my dad had a pretty long talk with him.  My mom came in near the end of the conversation, they all prayed together, and gave Paul their blessing.  I am so thankful to have parents that love and care for not only me and my life, but Paul and our life together as well.  I am also thankful that he has respect for my parents and included them in this major decision.

Shortly after their conversation, he proposed.  He's an amazing musician and songwriter... so I was ecstatic to see that he wrote me a song.  It was just him, me, and an acoustic guitar.  At the end of the song, he pulled out a ring, got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him.  Thinking about it still gives me goosebumps... it was one of the best moments of my entire life, and always will be.

We were married 11 months later, and now we're coming up on our 4th wedding anniversary.

 He's a very creative, artistic man.  As I said before, he's a very talented musician... so once I decided to pursue my dream of being a photographer, he has been an incredible asset.  With us both being artistic types, we're able to encourage each other and constantly be trying new things.  I've spent the last couple years training him as an assistant, teaching him almost everything I know and he has now become a second shooter.  I value his creativity, his drive, and his support in both life and business.

Paul, taking a photo of me as I take a photo of him.  :)

Well that's a bit about me and my trusty sidekick, Paul :)    Later on I'll share other parts of my life... Feel free to tell me about yourself, too.  I'd love to get to know you - leave me comments, questions, anything... I'm an open book. I look forward to it!