As I am editing the images from Donna and Scott's beautiful day, I come across one from their first dance. Donna is laughing with her head tilted back with Scott's arm wrapped around her, as all their friends and family are looking on. All I could think was how that image is a perfect representation of this couple. They are fun and easy-going and completely surrounded by love!

Not only was this wedding jam-packed with special little details everywhere you looked, but it was absolutely dripping with love and affection. These are the kind of people you want for friends, the kind of people you wish were your family. 

I still feel so honored to have been included in this incredible day. I know I will forever think of this couple as friends, not just clients. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Popp. I am wishing you a lifetime of love, laughter and joy!

Now for a sneak peek of their day. . .

...and they danced happily ever after. 

Special thanks to my second shooter Sheena Christ from Torrent Photography​, who literally saved me from "death by folding chair", lol. I appreciate all your hard work and for catching me. 

Be sure to "like" my Facebook page to see more images soon!

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We had such a gorgeous evening for Audrey's Senior Session! I had a really difficult time narrowing down the number of images to post for her sneak peek. I got it down to ten, but there are tons more that I love as well.

I am totally in love with this white barn!

It was the perfect time of day for shooting off rainbow sun flares everywhere!

One of my absolute favorites of the night! Love the genuine smile.

We got more than halfway through the shoot when she says, all casual-like "Oh, we have some apple trees in the back." Dude! They have an entire orchard and it is full of some pretty spectacular light and scraggly trees! Yes, please!

This is my other favorite!! We almost didn't do the smoke bomb, but at the last minute we decided to go back. I am so glad we did!

Be sure to "like" my Facebook page to see more images!

Mindy and Mike got married yesterday!
We braved the downpour and mud, and it was oh so lovely.
The rain was more romantic than it was a nuisance.
Doesn't love have a way of making everything better?!
Here's a sneak peek of their day...

It was a breathtaking day full of love and laughter. 
Wishing you both a lifetime of the same!

Special thanks to my hilarious and uber talented second shooter,
Sarah Wiley Joyce of SRW Joyce Photography. 
Together we told a beautiful story!

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This beautiful man has been my husband for the past 17 years.
He is my "beyond words".
For there doesn't exist enough language in the world to fully describe all that he is,
all that he has been, to me and to all those who truly know him.

He is easy-going.
What a blessing that has been. 
I am, as some would say, anything but calm in a crisis. 
I am a high-strung, panicky worrier. I am a "worst case scenario" kind of gal.
My husband Greg, however, is cool and level headed. 

He is forgiving.
Even when he has a right to be hurt, he has this kind way of letting go..
A way of seeing the best in others.
He's helped me to be a better person, to breathe when I'd rather seethe.

He has an incredible sense of humor.
Not in a joke telling kind of way, but a natural wittiness.
He makes us laugh everyday.

He's a great communicator.
We talk about everything together.
He expresses himself freely and allows us to do the same.

He is thoughtful.
He's been known to clean the entire house on more than one occasion.
To make me breakfast in bed.
Or pick me wildflowers.

Perhaps best of all, he is an amazing Father.
He makes time to play with our daughter even after an exhausting full day of work.
He spends weekends planning Daddy/Daughter days.
He reads to her, teaches her life skills and listens when she talks.

Yes, my husband is quite a guy.
He's not without his faults, but he more than makes up for them.

The thing is, not everyone is here to see the man he's become.

You see, when my husband was just 13 years old
his father took his own life.

He had struggled with depression, most likely bi-polar disorder, for years.
He had, at times, reached out for help, but the old school thinking was just to
"snap out of it". 
People didn't understand clinical depression as much as they do now.
There was a stigma attached to it.
Let's face it, no one wants to be labeled "crazy". 
I get that.
However, having a mental disorder doesn't automatically make you insane.
And when you look at it with the correct perspective, it makes all the difference.
I mean, no one wants diabetes or cancer either.
Still, that wouldn't stop most of us from getting help if we had them. 

Today is the 10th of September. It is national suicide prevention day. It is so important to bring awareness to this issue.

I never got to meet my Father-in-Law.
Yet, I still long to tell him a great many things. 

I want to tell him to stay. Tell him "You ARE of value in this life."
I want to show him his grown-up son and say "Look, you made him.
You have so much to live for." 
I want to introduce him to his granddaughter.
Our sweet girl who prays for others in her small voice at night. 
Who shares so readily and gives the biggest hugs with her eyes closed so tight.
I want to say "I love you"
and wrap my arms around this man I never knew.
To thank him for playing such a huge role in my life. 

Please hold the people in your life. Tell them they matter.
More than that, guide them to get help when they need it.
And even more than that, never make them feel bad for needing it. 

National Hotline :: #1.800.273.8255

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