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 : )

Bali Wedding: Taka + Mao

(This wedding is very special to me, so I have to preface this post a with a little bit of a background story: Taka is from Japan but came to America to go to school. My brothers first met Taka in college where they all played basketball together. By the time graduation came, they had become best friends, and Taka came back to live with my family while he worked and got an internship. He fit right in and immediately became a part of the family. I considered him my third brother. Let’s just say he could even eat as much as my brothers, if not more, which is saying a lot. Haha.

Then, during autumn of my junior year in college, something awful happened. I still remember the day I got the phone call from my mom. To put it mildly, there had been a bit of a misunderstanding with his visa, and he had to go back to Japan. Immediately. I didn’t get to say goodbye. And he wasn’t going to be able to come back for a long time. When my brother Carl and I both got married in the summer of 2010, he couldn’t be a part of our weddings. He was sorely missed. But the worst part was not knowing when we’d see him again….

Then, there was Mao. He started mentioning her in emails, and we met her over skype. She was something special, that much was obvious. He proposed and we were all elated for them. As they started to plan their wedding, we knew we had to be there if there was any way possible. So they decided to have the wedding in Bali, a place that his American family might be able to join. To state the obvious, we were. And after 4 years of separation, we reunited and spent a week in Bali, celebrating the beginning of Taka and Mao’s lives together. Yes, it was a definitely a very good week :)

It was a very hot day, as most days in Bali are, and it was also a very beautiful day. Yes, the sun was shining and the flowers smelled almost as good as they were vibrantly colored, but those things aren’t what made it beautiful. Perhaps it was the gleaming expression on Mao’s face as she held hands with and smiled at her soon-to-be husband. Perhaps it was the look in Taka’s eyes as he vowed to love and cherish Mao for the rest of her life. Or perhaps it was the laughter, hugs, and tears of their families as they congratulated them and commemorated with them. Whatever the reason, no one could deny that that day in Bali, a day filled with joy and love and an intimate wedding celebration, was anything short of magnificent.

T and Mao, what to even say… I am just so beyond happy that you’ve found each other!! Thank you, for wanting me to be the one who documented your amazing wedding. I miss you guys very much, and I wouldn’t trade the time we all had together for anything! I hope these photos take you right back to that incredible day. Love you both!!! XO

The day began at a bridal suite near the wedding chapel and a gorgeous gown…

I loved the bow on the back of her shoes!

Once she was all ready, it was time for the First Look and she headed up the path to see her groom…

Pure bliss :)

Such a happy couple!

Do your thing, T!

Love this one.

Mao, you were breathtaking!

This might be my favorite…

After we finished photos, it was time to get married in the gorgeous little chapel!

Taka and Mao had the ceremony written out in Japanese so that their families could follow along.

Married and dancing down the aisle!!

Quick funny story about the cake cutting… Taka was pretending to bite off the head of the groom figurine on the cake, but because it was so humid out the figurine was melting and flimsy, he actually DID bite the head off!! I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard during a cake cutting.