Personal: The New Year's Eve Proposal

TEN YEARS AGO TONIGHT...

you proposed. 

We'd gone out to dinner to our favorite little place. You'd sweetly asked my parents about it weeks ago, so our family was entirely privy to what was about to happen. I was home visiting from college on my Christmas break. While it felt like I had already waited an eternity for you to propose, I had no idea it was going to be that night. On shaky knees, you knelt down in the parking-lot of the restaurant as we were leaving. You'd told me you just couldn't decide when to ask me at dinner. I was so excited I asked you to do it again! I remember how much you were sweating, but it didn't hold a candle to my tears. ;) 

After smiling too much and having lots of champagne toasts to celebrate, we crashed on your couch for some alone time. I put on a pair of your pajama bottoms and an old t-shirt so I didn't have to be dressed up anymore and we spent the next few hours admiring the beautiful ring you picked out and the awesomeness that was ahead for our future. I had no. idea. how fun life was going to be with you.

This was us on that couch. Freshly 19 & 20. I almost don't remember being that young. 

Tonight, we are alone. I have just put our first child to bed. We have no special plans, no fancy drinks, and no friends to party with. But we are happy. Healthy. And in love. We don't have champagne in the house, but we'll probably share a Coke and a midnight kiss. There won't be any confetti popping in our living-room tonight, but you can bet I feel it exploding inside me every time we're together. I can't imagine a better life than the one I've been blessed enough to have with you. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR, JASON. 

Wishing you a very...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

So much has changed in a year! No more quiet mornings, no more schedules, no more sleepy afternoons on Christmas day. =) But just as many smiles! As we smother our own "little" baby we think about the most perfect little baby in Bethlehem. I think Jesus' birthday might be Eli's favorite day ever! ;) 

Personal: Prinstagram

As a photographer, I have a slight obsession with photos. And while I don't shoot film, I love holding a physical printed image in my hands. Last year for Christmas, my husband sweetly bought me a Polaroid camera. It's SO MUCH FUN to snap something and instantly see your creation! And yet, I kept looking for a way to do the same with my Instagram photos. There are SO many that I have falling in love with...but when I print through 1-hour photo, they just look awful. And when I do it myself on my computer, it's just not the same. I want the square, bordered shape. The texture I imagine in my mind they each have. The vintage quality come to life! 

Guess what? I found it! A company named Prinstagram literally gave me the most gorgeous gift yesterday. They mailed me tons of my Instagram photos all the way from Taiwan! And they are divine. If you think my words have validity then heed this: I highly recommend this company. It's the perfect way to cherish your memories and a huge compliment to just having them on your phone. I was even able to hand-select the exact prints I wanted,  how many of each, and in what size: 5x5 or 3x3. And they have a Polaroid print option too, so literally, it's perfection on the web. I may or may not have squealed a little when I opened the box they sent me. =) 

Earlier this year, I'd fallen head over heals for Instacanvas....I have no idea if all these companies are related, affiliated, or just that awesome on their own, but kudos to you all three of you. You've helped me capture my life in a way I'd only dreamed of before. Thanks for making it a reality! And really, I'm being serious. No cheese here. ;) 

Bridals: Louisiana Styled Shoot...Sunrise & Lilies

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...to paint the Lily...is wasteful and ridiculous excess... -King John, William Shakespeare

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Part Two of a real-life love story: The Bridals

Ironically, we shot Lillie's bridals among the Lilies. And Lillie herself could not have been a better muse. 

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Special Thanks to Hunter Leone of Three Nails Photography for styling the shoot.
Dress: Ivy&Aster
Painting: Danielle Hillman Miller
And to Lillie Duncan, who, I think, gave those lilies a run for their money. ;)

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Engagement: Louisiana Styled Farm Shoot

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Who, being loved, is poor? -Oscar Wilde

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In late September, I boarded a plane by myself to Louisiana. I had left my baby for the very first time to do something work related and though I was an apprehensive new mommy and I had a tinge of guilt for what I might miss while I was gone, it was hard to hide my excitement about shooting non-stop alongside one of my photography idols. I was praying on the plane that he would be as awesome as his images suggested...Awesome is really just an understatement. If you ever get the chance to meet Hunter of Three Nails Photography, have the honor of being in front of his lens, or get an opportunity to take his workshop, DO IT. I received the latter; and two days of being inspired, making new friends, and learning from such an amazing artist was well worth it. And I've been thoroughly soaking up every second of browsing through the images I took while I was there. Oh, and baby? He was devoured in kisses when I got home!! As was my amazingly supportive husband. ;) 

Part One of a real-life love story: The Engagement

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Special Thanks to Hunter Leone of Three Nails Photography for styling the shoot.
And to Jacob and Lillie Duncan for loving on each other all day!

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