this past weekend saw the third saturday in a row that it rained here in michigan. and it just didn't matter!
amanda and jeff handled the weather the same as my couples the two weeks before...with smiles, joy, and a relentless pursuit of embracing the beauty of their unique wedding day, downpour and all. and what a beautiful day it was. i actually don't get the privilege of shooting on the east side of the state that often, so a&j's wedding was a special treat. and even though the skies opened up in the middle of the day, things cleared to make way for a beautiful evening full of wedding celebrations!
jeff and amanda, thank you for letting me tag along on your wedding day. it was such a breath of fresh air in so many ways. blessings to you two as you start this new chapter of life together. i hope you love your wedding preview!
- npe
i was standing with her at the end of the night. guests had made their way out to gather for the sparkler exit and her new husband was saying goodbye to grandpa in the corner. susie recalled, with deep gratitude in the tone of her voice, a conversation she remembered having with her mom...where the topic of taking mental pictures of special life events had been discussed.
'my mom told me how she remembered carrying me up to bed, and thinking of how heavy i was getting...and how this might be the last time i let her carry me because i was getting so big. she made sure to remember everything about that moment'
and there we stood, just about to run out through a flood of love and sparklers...and susie reminded herself to take a mental picture. justin joined us, and off we went, heading for the tunnel of sparks and a final few photos..
what a good reminder that was for me, standing there at the end of what was a wonderful day. we benefit greatly from the purposed practice of slowing down in the midst of life, and settling our senses enough to hold the moment in grateful appreciation. i didn't get the chance to meet susie or justin in person before their wedding day..but it didn't matter. these two graciously welcoming me into the beautiful mayhem of what a wedding day can be, breaking at the seams with moment after moment of laughter and love. and what a day it was!
thank you susie and justin, for the trust you placed in me, and for the incredible honor you gave me of helping to cement those fleeting moments into your memories forever. it was so much fun to be back to the states for such a celebration. i wish you both the very best. continue to cultivate a love between you two...serve one another with a selfless love, and never, ever, stop dating ;D
much love,
-npe
