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 : )

La Caille Wedding: Christine + Ricky

Christine breezed around the bridal suite, eyes sparkling and cheeks slightly pink as she gathered everything to get dressed. Yes, things were running a tad behind schedule. But still, she wasn’t rushing. Rather, she meticulously finished getting ready, making sure everything was just right. Because when you love someone the way Christine loves Ricky, ardently and unreservedly, you want to savor everything about the day you become man and wife. So she laughed excitedly with her bridesmaids and relished the sweet moments of anticipation before seeing Ricky…

Ricky called to check in. He made a joke about how long she was taking to get ready, though really he was just dying to see her. Sure, he would have waited all day if he had to. He would have waited a week. Or a month. Or a year, even. Because when you love someone the way Ricky loves Christine, whole heartedly and unabashedly, you’ll wait forever if need be. But he didn’t have to wait anymore. Today was the day. Today he would take the hand of the most beautiful woman he’d ever met, and seal his love with a kiss, becoming man and wife. So he stood patiently but excitedly, until Christine had everything just right and tapped him on the shoulder…

As the party wore down and the evening came to an end, Christine and Ricky went around giving hugs and thanks to their family and friends, grateful for all of their love and support. They smiled and looked around one last time, soaking up the final moments of their wedding. But they weren’t sad. Rather, they were blissfully excited. Because even though the evening was ending, their life together was just beginning. And when you have a love like Ricky and Christine do, passionate and unconditional, you know it’s a love that’s going to last. So they took each other by the hand, exited through a shimmering tunnel of sparklers, and drove away together… as man and wife.

Christine and Ricky, I can’t tell you how honored I feel to not only have witnessed your wedding, but also to have been a part of it! Your love for each other is the kind of love that makes me so grateful to do what I do. Thank you for trusting me to be the one to capture your first day as husband and wife! I’m excited to see what God has in store for the two of you :) Much love and appreciation! XO

And I have to give a special thanks to Val Dahlin for seconding shooting with me!! You’re awesome Val, and I so appreciate you coming along! :)

It could not have been a lovelier day for their wedding at La Caille!