Leah and Tommy...

Usually the words for a wedding blog post come pretty easily to me. I tend to focus the storytelling on how the couple met and what the wedding day was like.

Yesterday it hit me just how much more there is to it.

Leah and Tommy. I'm sitting here trying to find the right words to do their story justice, to focus on the most important parts of the day, to describe their personalities. My backspace key is getting a workout today.

There is so much more to it.

The truth is, I don't know Leah and Tommy that well. I haven't known them for years the way their friends have. I don't know their histories the way their families do. I can't tell you their favorite food, color, or book.

What I can tell you is they are both so loved by their family and friends, and Leah and Tommy have clearly made both groups of people a huge priority in their life.

I can tell you they are two of the loveliest people I've ever met, with hearts of gold and smiles and laughs that are contagious.

I can tell you that through the joy and laughter and rhythm of yesterday, they were also quietly sharing parts of themselves that were vulnerable.

I can tell you that yesterday really opened my eyes. Maybe I was looking at things differently, trying to pay close attention and take everything in since it was the last time...but I truly think it's just the kind of people Leah and Tommy are, who their friends and family are, that changed my view.

I can tell you that being invited in to share in someone's greatest joys is wonderful. Being invited in to share in their greatest sorrow is a privilege.

Make no mistake, the day was full of joy and a beautiful celebration of an incredible couple. But there is so much more to the story, always. In this life, we tend to pass by each other, maybe make some small talk, never knowing the entirety of someone else's story. Pay attention and you just might learn.

In 2011, Leah's family lost her younger sister Emily in a terrible car crash. The resilience that they have shown as people, as a family - and Leah and Tommy as a couple - merely by surviving, is a testament to who they are. Leah's mom, Lorie, gave the most beautiful speech at the reception...to paraphrase, in addressing Tommy, she said, "You saw us at our very lowest, and still, you stuck around."

Celebrating the good times is the easy part. True love, true friends, true family, sticks around for everything else. Leah and Tommy, you two have changed my world. Thank you for letting me in yours.

Below are some photos that, with Leah's permission, I am sharing. They are not the best, glossy, posed photos in perfect lighting, but a few real moments from life as it happens.

The Last One

Tomorrow I'm shooting my last wedding...for at least a year, possibly ever. I would be remiss if it didn't make me a little nostalgic, a little introspective, and a lot reminiscent. I looked up my "stats", if you will, of these last 6 years: 32 weddings and 18 engagement sessions...or in photography terms, approximately 470 shooting hours and well over 1200 editing hours. (That's a lot of editing, my friends)

There are other numbers that I don't have to look up or calculate...5 100+ degree days, 4 churches with no air conditioning, 3 torrential downpours, 3 weddings during the 2011 flood, 1 wedding guest fender bender, 1 party bus backing into my truck. (yes, that happened!)

Mostly what I'm left with are the things, the memories, for which there is no number...meeting a couple for the first time, hearing their story, and having them invite me into their world on one of the biggest days of their lives; getting to know their friends and families, joking with Dad and offering to buy him a drink if he will pretty please just smile for the family photos; the first looks, the nerves, the joy, the laughter, the tears; the sorrow at those whose passing meant they couldn't be there that day; the looks on the faces of parents and grandparents as the couple says their vows; the relief when the ceremony is over; and my favorite, the laughing-drinking-toasting-dancing of the reception.

There are, of course, things I won't miss (that's a whole other blog post, honey!), but the thing I will miss most has to be the incredible couples I get to meet and spend time with each season, and in many cases, the friendships that have remained long after the wedding day. To all of my couples - thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for trusting me with such an important part of your lives. I have loved getting to do this for the last 6 years.

Here's to tomorrow's couple - Leah and Tommy. It's a great one to go out on - let's make it epic! :)