When I was little, I used to pretend I was a horse. Or a wolf. Sometimes a tiger. Whatever suited my fancy. I was one of thooose girls. I didn't really play with dolls or put on lipstick and wear my mom's heels. Instead, I created elaborate stories in my head and played them out for hours, sometimes days, until the story was complete.

As I got older, I thought for a time that I wanted to be a writer. Instead of acting out the stories in my imagination, I tried to put them on paper. I would sit down and start these grand novels, only to begin another one after a few chapters in the first. I had every intention of finishing them. I just... never did. Apparently writing isn't my strong suit.

Then I found a camera. Jackpot. I found a way to stop time. To tell real stories. The kind of stories that should be remembered. Need to be remembered. Stories full of life and love that beg to be preserved and shared.

So I guess you could call me a story teller. A really, really ridiculously blessed and happily married story teller who can't cook but laughs a lot and has three dogs. I love my life.

And I'd love to tell your story : )

A Year in Review: 2011

So. It’s New Year’s Eve Eve today. Anyone else feel like this year went by faster than when The Roadrunner flies by Wiley Coyote? Or something along those lines anyway. But, seeing as there are only two more days this year, that means it’s time for a little review! I did my first review last year with the intent of being able to look back and see how much I’ve progressed this year. Essentially, I wanted to grade myself. (Yes, I was the child who wanted to see my parents put every gold star I ever got on the fridge.)

But as I was going through the photos this year, I realized something. As much as I do want to continually see myself progress and never stop trying to be better, this review is more than just a way to gauge myself. Oh, so much more. This is a memory book of all the couples who allowed me into a special part of their lives, and trusted me to document it. It is an album of the wonderful people I got to hang out with, the new friends I’ve made, and the memories made with old ones. If you ask me, that’s way better than even the biggest gold star.

Here are some of my favorite couple photos from 2011: