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 : )

The Best 5 Years of My Life

Jake,

Five years ago today, we vowed forever. It’s crazy how it feels like yesterday, but at the same time, it seems like so long ago. And it’s amazing how much can change in five years… My business and your career. The four different houses we’ve lived in, and two different states. The number of dogs we’ve had. Even the TV shows we watch. We’ve mourned loss and we’ve been thankful for health. We’ve made some really big decisions, and a whole lot of small decisions. We welcomed our beautiful baby girl into the world.

Through it all, though, there’s one thing that hasn’t changed. You are my home.

I’ve known you, and loved you, for almost half of my life now. And you still make my heart race, still give me butterflies. I’m not sure I’ll ever fully understand why you picked me. Why I’m the one you’ve chosen to spend your life with. But I thank God every day for blessing me with a man like you. Time and time again I fall in love all over with your steadfast loyalty, your strong work ethic, your unwavering support of my dreams. I fall in love with your laugh, the way you carry yourself, how you kiss me. I love the way you take care of me, how much you cherish Natalie, the respect with which you treat others around you.

When I say you are my home, I mean that it doesn’t matter what changes happen in the next year, or five years, five hundred years. It doesn’t matter what state we’re in, or what car we drive, or what house we live in… Because it’s you that makes my life complete. And it will always be you.

I can absolutely and without a doubt say that these have been the best 5 years of my life. Thanks for picking me, Roo, and for continuing to pick me. I love you with all of my heart, and then some.

Happy Anniversary Handsome.