Hello Dear Friends of the World Wide Web (whoa. long time since I have heard that....)!
There is a winner for the contest!
Dum, da, da, da, dadaaaaaaa!
And it is :
Kelly Plunnecke
who nominated
her husband Mark!
Kelly has won a free shoot and album for her story!
However, I did promise that the runners-up would be announced as well.
So, the runners-up get an awesome prize. A free mini-shoot! Not a free album, but a short shoot.
See the bottom of this post for details :D hehe.
So, the runners-up get an awesome prize. A free mini-shoot! Not a free album, but a short shoot.
See the bottom of this post for details :D hehe.
But, without further ado, Kelly's story:
"I saw this contest and immediately thought this might be a way to bless
Mark. We never had engagement pictures, it never crossed our minds till
people recently started doing this more. And our wedding photographer,
was chosen by a family member who wanted to bless us by paying for it.However, the pictures were really bad. We have one tiny photo that is
the better then the rest but it is just on a shelf in the corner. Mark
has often regretted that we did not do things differently (as well as I!)"
{now, I need to pause right here and say that this is the main reason why Kelly won. I had the hardest time choosing. It was nearly impossible. I seriously actually almost cried when I realized I had to just pick one. But something really hit the photographer in me when I read this. I can really make a difference for this family!
There were so many people honored, and such seriously great stories. It was a blessing and encouragement to read each and every one!}
Mark. We never had engagement pictures, it never crossed our minds till
people recently started doing this more. And our wedding photographer,
was chosen by a family member who wanted to bless us by paying for it.However, the pictures were really bad. We have one tiny photo that is
the better then the rest but it is just on a shelf in the corner. Mark
has often regretted that we did not do things differently (as well as I!)"
{now, I need to pause right here and say that this is the main reason why Kelly won. I had the hardest time choosing. It was nearly impossible. I seriously actually almost cried when I realized I had to just pick one. But something really hit the photographer in me when I read this. I can really make a difference for this family!
There were so many people honored, and such seriously great stories. It was a blessing and encouragement to read each and every one!}
"Mark and I have been married for over 8 years. In some ways it seems
like just yesterday we exchanged our vows. Where have the years gone?"
"These 8 years have been the happiest of my life, maybe that is why they
have flown by. My love has only deepened for him over these years and
"These 8 years have been the happiest of my life, maybe that is why theyhave flown by. My love has only deepened for him over these years and
I am often amazed that he even asked me to be his wife."
"One more day
One more time
One more sunset,
Maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still,
For one more day with you"
"It's not that these past years have all been of ease and thus being
filled with joy, we have had our share of conflicts and trials. My"One more dayOne more time
One more sunset,
Maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still,
For one more day with you"
"It's not that these past years have all been of ease and thus beinghusband has humbly led us through these times. So often I have
responded to him in anger and impatience and he has patiently forbeared
with me, leading us through those times with much humility."
"Time and time again he has modeled Christ's love in our home. Over the years, Markhas only grown in selflessness even though the years have brought more demands and one would want to justify selfishness." 
"First thing I'd do, is pray for time to crawl
"First thing I'd do, is pray for time to crawlThen I'd unplug the telephone
And keep the TV off
I'd hold you every second
Say a million 'I love you's'
Thats what I'd do,
With one more day with you"
"It recently has been most evident with the arrival of our 4th child (and first girl). Mark
has bent over backwards to serve me. When our first son arrived, and I
would ask Mark for help there were times where he would lack joy in
serving. But he has sought to grow in putting other's interests above
his own. It seems whenever I ask, there is such joy in caring for me and the children."
" He is eager to serve and often initiating on his own. I am so grateful for a husband who loves Christ first and seeks Him for help to best love his family."
"Thanks for the opportunity, even if we do not win (which I completely
understand!) it has been great to be able to write these thoughts downAnd keep the TV off
I'd hold you every second
Say a million 'I love you's'
Thats what I'd do,
With one more day with you"
"It recently has been most evident with the arrival of our 4th child (and first girl). Markhas bent over backwards to serve me. When our first son arrived, and I
would ask Mark for help there were times where he would lack joy in
serving. But he has sought to grow in putting other's interests above
his own. It seems whenever I ask, there is such joy in caring for me and the children."
" He is eager to serve and often initiating on his own. I am so grateful for a husband who loves Christ first and seeks Him for help to best love his family.""Thanks for the opportunity, even if we do not win (which I completelyso I can share this with my hubby. I know it will bless him regardless
of the outcome."
of the outcome."
.: Kelly, thank you for honoring your husband :.
I hope you still have your wedding dress!
I hope you still have your wedding dress!
::Runners-Up::
Ok, my runners-up! Since I could not decide on just one or two, I chose to give a free mini-shoot to the rest of the people who entered! Over the next 6 months I will book and do a shoot with you - for free!
Marybeth, Casey, Naomi, Kendall, Ellie, Julie, Bob, Janet and Olivia - your stories were excellent and I would be honored to be able to do a shoot for you and your honoree!
After we do the shoots I will post their stories and pictures. Some made me cry, others made me laugh out loud. There are some excellent, excellent stories!
Congratulations everyone! And you will all be hearing from me soon!
Marybeth, Casey, Naomi, Kendall, Ellie, Julie, Bob, Janet and Olivia - your stories were excellent and I would be honored to be able to do a shoot for you and your honoree!
After we do the shoots I will post their stories and pictures. Some made me cry, others made me laugh out loud. There are some excellent, excellent stories!
Congratulations everyone! And you will all be hearing from me soon!