One Month | Marriage

"No! I got this! Look, you want to know what marriage is really like? Fine. 
You wake up - she's there. 
You come back from work - she's there. 
You fall asleep - she's there.
 You eat dinner - she's there. 
You know? I mean, I know that sounds like a bad thing. But, it's not. 
Not when it's the right person."   
everybody loves raymond

pc: shannon lee miller photography

We're professionals at husband-and-wife-ship now.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask.  

;)

Happy One Month to my Right Person. 

--

headed to jamaica

headed home to maryland

at the fair

happy birthdays!

at the beach

ps.  If you want more details on our first month, go see our personal blog.  I wrote about our woes and ailments ;)

facebook | website | email | twitter | pinterest | instagram 

Justin + Brittany {Hagerstown, MD Wedding}

i remember, 

trying not to stare the night 

that i first met you...
 i thought i loved you then

brad paisley | then

Award-winning food blogger,daughter of a fireman,engaged to a policeman,brand new homeowner,and funny as sticks,Brittany has been one of my most enjoyable brides ever.(special thanks to my second-shooters for these guys shots! you rock rebecca watkins + ellie b!)
Brittany is the kind of bride that I treat like my sister.By that I mean,when I walked in I teased her,I picked some of her food off her plate and ate it with my hands,and Facebook stalked with her all morning.And my heart swelled for her, because I was so excited this was her wedding day.If she wasn't laughing,I was laughing.And if I wasn't laughing, her mom was laughing.And we were ALL giving the make-up artist a run for her money.The tear-jerker moment of the morning was talking to Brittany's manly, rugged, tough fireman father.We stood and watched his daughter get all glammed up."You ready for this?" I asked him.He didn't answer.I looked over and tears puddled in his eyes. "Well, I guess I have to be."(ps. yes, she is eating french fries + chicken fingers.)Though the schedule was sliiiightly behind,Brittany was thrilled to have a few more "daddy/daughter" moments.They practiced their dance one more time.It was precious.And dad also announced that he was going to drive Brittany to the churchin his big red diesel pick-up truck.He was so excited.
After the final dance practice, the bride hustled upstairs to put on her looooovely gown.Then she hustled downstairs to her magical carriage ride :DAnd we flew down country roads,under sunny skies,to a little church where a girl in a red truck,driven by her dad,would get married.She loved her little "hiding room" where she could watch all the guests arrive.heart, heart, heart.Did you think all the Dad + Daughter sweetness was over?You were WRONG.:DBefore they walked down the aisle,he presented her with a diamond necklace.What a proud papa face!
And what a sweet papa face!
I do love ceremonies,but I also love kisses.And so I skipped right to that?She was the happiest wife in all the land.Truly truly the happiest.I don't usually see this in my area,but I love a big happy "church exit,"where all the guests wait outside,clap,and "woop"and blow bubbles.
I just think it's great.So happy!


After leaving the church, we had to move quick.With about a 15 minute deadline, we started taking pictures of the new husband + wife.I have to take a minute to just brag to the world about them.They're wonderful.They're wonderful together, he does things that make him wonder,she does things that make him full(wow. pushing it there, Kristen)and they love each other so much.Justin is such a strong man for his funny, crazy wife. For example, they bought their house a few weeks before the wedding.And the house attacked.Started leaking and breaking and just being ridiculous. Justin didn't want to stress Brittany out. He took care of things himself,and let her know what had happened after it was fixed.He sent her gifts each day leading up to the wedding on wedding week.He knew what she needed, he knew how to care for his girland he didn't hesitate to do that.And she just can't say enough about her man. She sparkles when she talks about him,and loves being his.God knew what this girl needed. And He knew what this boy needed.
It never "gets old" to me, that people really do fall in love,and make a promise,and become one. (Uuuuuuh, hello, countryside. You look fine tonight!Can I have yo numba?)
Brittany + Justin  have so much fun on this new adventure together,and eat lots of good food,and try to get your house to stop breaking,and mostly just have SO much fun :D
I'm thrilled for you!

John + Christian {Chevy Chase Marriage Photography}

"Here in these deep city lights

Girl could get lost tonight

Nothing here to hold on to

Could I hold you?"sarah bareillesChristian has friends.John has friends.They even have a few mutual friends.Who apparently think they are Emma ;)


But the good news is that the match-making worked.And after John's tour of the White House with a particularly great tour guide, things started rolling.Hours of conversation, stupid couple-jokes, distracted work days, long distance agonies, falling in love, "I love you's", diamonds, proposals and "I do's" all followed.As well as military deployment.This newly married couple, who met at a Starbucks, were about to face their biggest challenge yet.

Being apart.

Thankfully, John made it home safe and sound, so this year they get to spend the holidays together.

Oh so together :D



Aren't they adorable? I want to be that adorable when I grow up.

Thanks for being amazing, for not quitting in the cold and for all the fun!Hugs :D

Nick and Beth {Adams Morgan Anniversary Shoot}

"But can you feel this magic in the air?
It must have been the way you kissed me"
taylor swift

It was my second day "interning" with Sarah Barlow in a suburb outside Chicago.  Her other intern slash friend was on her way over, and I was excited to meet her. Her was Beth. Beth Laurren Photography. Yay! 

She arrived loudly, she stayed loudly and she left loudly.  Beth is tall, stunning and most "noticeable" by her fabulous curly hair.  I noddded and blinked - tossing in occasional smiles - as she introduced her self and told stories about her day.  She flipped open her computer to get directions to lunch, and I saw the background picture on her screen.  A cute, tall man with his arms wrapped around Beth's. "Hmmmmm. Dare I interrupt her?"

I couldn't help but ask about boy-girl happenings. I had to know."Who is that?" I pointed.  Beth spun around in her chair "What! Who? That?" Instantly she slowed down when she looked at the picture.  It was decorated with various desktop folders and computer icons, but the picture took her to another place.  A place where being folded in his arms leaves her speechless. 

She honestly stopped talking for a good few moments.  I kinda felt bad "Uh oh... maybe I shouldn't have said that."  But that was interrupted when she oozed "Ooooh... that is Nick. I love him.  I love Nick.  This picture is from our trip to Hawaii. I miss him.  I love him."  She kept her eyes on their picture and my heart skipped a beat.  "Ok, that's adorable."

The rest of my trip to Chicago - at least whenever Beth was involved - always included some kind of "Nick story."  I heard alllLLLll about Nick.  I remember one time after Beth left I said out loud "Oh my gosh, she is crazy about him.  She does not shut up about Nick!"  Sarah and I laughed, but I promise I wasn't mocking.  I was more amazed.  I hadn't heard someone talk like that about her boyfriend before!

A few months after I went home I got THE text.  Nick and Beth were engaged.  Eleven weeks later they were married.  It's been two years of "amazing" according to them.  They love being married and they love being together.

They still live in Chicago, but were visiting some friends and family in my area, so we had to do an anniversary shoot. HAD to.  For almost three years I've been hearing about this Nick and had never met him.  Beth wasn't lying. 

He is wonderful.  I asked him how married life was "Wonderful.  I love it.  It's the best thing I've ever done."  "Beth is crazy about you," I told him.  His eyebrows raised "Well, I am absolutely crazy about her."

I love that despite the hard work, the boring days, the annoying jobs, the petty fights people can still feel so in love.  I hope and pray that their love deepens and shocks them every year. 

Keep loving each other as hard as you do - it is SO special to see :D

And laugh and play a lot.  Because that's fun!

Kiss each other lots and lots! 

And come visit again soon, you two love birds ;)

Mike + Amanda Rae {Married Photography}

"just like little girls and boysplaying with their little toysseems like all they really were doingwas waiting for a love"regina spektor - real love"I was in love with him. Who wouldn't be? Oh yeah, I was crazy about him."  Mike was Amanda's heart-throb.  Her main squeeze.  Basically a celebrity crush, but he was living, alive and in her life as opposed to a face printed on a poster in her room.  Mike was real and she was a smitten kitten.

And by sixteen she was taken off the market by cool, suave, studly Mike.  These two have been together for 10 years and are as happy as can be :DThey have that annoyingly perfect "fit" everyone dreams of.  Their style, their conversation, their size - they just fit.They laugh and they banter and they give each other "the" look and they are Tony-the-Tiger greeeeeat!Laura Marchbank s teamed up with Justin + Mary and their charity Portrait House to raise money for those in need.  At WPPI a group us got to do a charity shoot!  Amanda and Mike just so happened to be the "engaged couple" (Sssh.  They have been married for a while.)We ran around a golf course, capturing their loooOoove. Cause they are in looOOoove ;)And they are hottie-McTottiesThey actually modeled for Chenin Boutwell + Wedding Chicks StyleLab .  So you may recognize them from there ;)Amanda is an amazing photographer in the Southern Cal area and she and her man just released their new "promo" video.  It's just stunning.  I'm jealous.  I have a crush on their video .  Please go see it !
You two were so fun!  Thanks for  driving me to the hotel, not being mad when I forgot my wallet and having lunch with me!  Y'all are great :D

Josh and Kelley {I'm Kristen - MD/DC/VA Wedding Photographer}

"Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you
Because you're mineI walk the line"
johnny cash - walk the line

This isn't the first time Kelley has graced this blog (she's often a bridesmaid in weddings I shoot.)
And this isn't the first time I've done a shoot for Kelley (I shot their little family last year!)
But this is our first shoot of just Josh and Kelley: a 4-year-anniversary shoot!

You all know how I loooove stories.  So bear with me while I tell you my Josh&Kelley stories.
Kelley was my literature teacher all through highschool.  I believe it was during 10th grade that she started going out with Josh.

I was at church, and one of  my classmates and I were talking in the lobby.
"Oh my gosh, did you hear about Kelley?"
"Noooo! What happened?!"
"She has a boyfriend."
"WHAT?!"

I scanned the room for her, and quickly found her in little black heels, cute jeans and black top (aka: so cool).  I gushed like the nerdy-but-hopeless-romantic-sophomore that I was and asked all about it.  She smiled and showed me a picture and told me his name.  Oh siiiigh. How sweet!

Skip forward a few months.  The blah of cold Maryland spring was upon us, and I was peeved about spending my Friday in class (I think I had senioritis really early...)  Kelley was teaching well, but the day was kind of slow and everyone was rather ho-hum.

Our class was in the basement of Kelley's house, and it wasn't strange for mailmen, neighbors and friends to drive-in and out or ring the doorbell.  This particular day, we heard a car pull-up, door open and close and footsteps walking up the driveway.  Kelley completely froze as she listened.  I honestly didn't even hear the car, because I was so used to it.  But Kelley listened, then peaked out the window, saw Josh and with a huge grin apologized to us girls as she went running out of the room.

"She's in love with him."  That's when I knew.  I still didn't even really know this guy, and Kelley isn't exactly excessively cheesy about love - so I never knew how things were going.   But I knew right there and then that she was sold. 

She glided back into the room - rosy and distracted - and the "oh-this-is-adorable" factor only increased each month.  Josh proposed in NYC a few months later, and I remember seeing them holding hands practically hopping into church.  After I saw her ring and watched them walk inside, I teared up.  She seemed so happy.  I was so happy for her.

In October 2005 they got married and their tilt-o-whirl life together began!  From surprise pregnancy news, to emerergency delivery news, to crazy job news and moving all over Maryland news, they have had quite a four years. 

I think this Alan Jackson song sums up their life so far:
"Remember when we vowed the vows
and walked the walk

Gave our hearts, made the start, it was hard
We lived and learned, life threw curves
There was joy, there was hurt."

"Remember when old ones died and new were born
And life was changed, disassembled, rearranged
We came together, fell apart."

"Remember when the sound of little feet
Was the music
We danced to week to week
Brought back the love, and the found trust
Vowed we'd never give it up
Remember when"

Right now their "dance" is very much to little feet, tired mornings, runny-noses, regular life and an unclear future.   And they love it.   Josh just loves Kelley.  He works for her and his kids, he leads her and his kids, he sacrifices pleasure, ease and fun for the high-call of being a husband and father.

And Kelley has thrown herself into supporting her man, and raising her children.  It's not easy, it's not perfectly scripted and deliriously exciting, and that's why I love to watch them.  They are more committed then ever and it's because of something bigger then themselves.  God has been their rock from day one, and I love to see Him walk them through each and every day, step by step. 


And don't get me wrong - they aren't these gloomy, down, burdened people!  They are full of life!

I love seeing them rolling into church with their kids, smiling and talking and mingling with everyone.  I love Kelley's funny status's on Facebook, and Josh's big hearty laugh.  I love how close they are with both their families and how they go on all kinds of outings and adventures. 

I love how they really do seem more in love as the months go on. 

I remember last year at a wedding I was shooting, Josh came late as he was waiting to hear about a job.   It didn't end up working out, and I know it was hard.  Kelley ran and gave him a HUGE hug when she saw him, and told him how much she loved him and kept her arm around him the rest of the day.  It was so sweet.

Right off a movie set, I tell ya...

Josh and Kel, your marriage and love screams to the world "This is what it should be like!"  It's not perfect - it's very selfless and hard, but when you do the work, it can be completely amazing. 

I respect you both oh so much and I can't wait to see you turn old and gray together ;D

And we will close with my favorite of the day :D LOVE it!

Josh loves Johnny Cash, so this whole shoot was kind of "themed" off of that - so here is the slideshow to "Walk The Line." Enjoy!

Christy and Braden - Married Shoot in MD/VA/DC

"I got a man to stick it out
And make a home from a rented house oh
And we'll collect the moments one by one
I guess that's how the future's done"

mushaboom - feist

Back this summer when I had my dear interns, I did a "we're married and are pretty much crazy about each other shoot" for Christy and Braden.

They modeled for us

Aren't they sweet?  Christy is an amazing momma to two little children.  She's super creative and is a fantastic artist!  Check out her stuff!

Braden is one of the pastors at my church.  But let me tell you - get him to a wedding reception and he has some CaRaaaZZy dance moves.  It's pretty intense :D  Good thing Christy just smiles at him haha
Cuuuuute!













Thank you for coming out!  You two were wonderful :D

Jason and Melinda - Married

"Confetti falling down all night
She's my kind of rain"
-- tim mcgraw

Who remembers Joe and Janette? Here's the scoop.
J & J have these awesome, married friends named Jason and Melanie.
Jason and Melinda are adorable, hysterical and madly in love.

However, they had a really, really bad photographer for their wedding (6 years ago).
They don't like the pictures, but even worse he was a criminal posing as a photographer. WAY sad.

Jason knew how badly his dear wife wanted good pictures of them together.
He pulled an Extra Awesome Husband Card out of his stash and gave me a call.
Since they were in town for J&J's wedding, it worked perfectly to meet up and do a fun "married" session!

They met 9 years ago at a restaurant where they both worked.
Melinda was new in town and wanted to find a good church to go to.
Jason was more than happy to bring her to church. What a saint.

"Did you like her right away?" I asked.
"Ha. OOoooh yeah. Yes. Yes I did." Jason smiled back.
"Haha nice! Melinda, did you like him right away?" I asked.
In her happy, high-pitched little voice "Mmmm! Uh huh! I very much did. We really have been together ever since."

Wa-la! Walk into work one day and then spend forever with the one you love. Sounds like a plan to me!

Goodness do they fit perfectly together. They laugh and tease, smile and roll in the grass. They skip and make little animal noises. In fact, here are their "cweatures." Cweatures walk all over the place and sometimes jump on each other.

I just really, really love laughing. And watching people laugh.

I guess kisses at sunset are alright too ;D



Waaaatch out! Look at these little fashionistas!

A little different, but I love the feel of this one :D

Smooch!

Aw, doesn't he look all manly with his gorgeous wifey in his arms?
And, sheesh, Melinda. You are SO gorgeous!

And the grand finale will be a little secret :D
(He told her her dogs were drowning. SO awful! haha but funny ;D)

You two were great and if I am ever in your area I will def have to stop by and say hello!
Hugs!

Neil and Jessica - Married Shoot

"Kiss me in sweet slow motion
Let's let everything slide,
You've got me floating,
You've got me flyin!"
-- faith hill

I just. Iiiii just need more words. I am going to pull a Shakespeare and start making new words.
(Clearly Shakespeare and I are the same, right? Of course.)

Jessica is my ridicuful (ridiculously beautiful) friend. There is so much that I love about her, so in no particular order: She loves Jesus, but isn't "Ahem. Holier than you." She is kind, loving and genuine. She is a very, very talented dancer, but doesn't brag about it. She is is married and committed to her wonderful husband, Neil. 5 years now :D She is also a momma to Mini-Jess and Mini-Neil. They are her little buds and it's special to see this young, gorgeous lady taking care of her husband and kids :D

I also love her because for her 5 year anniversary she wanted to do a shoot in her wedding dress.
Of course she still fits into it. Duh.
I'm gonna fit into mine 5 years after marriage, too.
(Upside down, though. The big bustle can go around my waist and the top can go around my ankles. That will be so attractive ;D joooke jooke)

The timing couldn't have been better for this "5th Anniversary Shoot" since I needed models for my interns.
All week long I was looking for a carnival to do this shoot at. I was online googling my fingers off.
I found nothing :(
Boohoo.

But wait! Hark!
Is that a maiden fair,
Beheld with love
At county fair?
(Told you Shakespeare and I were the same.)

Why yes, yes world, we.found.a.fair.
Yayaya! It was actually on the way to Joe and Janette Lovebirds shoot that the interns and I spotted a carnival. Oh I was thrilled.

In little Urbana, MD we spent the golden hour of that Wednesday night shooting away.
It was just magical.

Some might go to a county fair and hear the ketchup squirting onto a gross corn dog. Or onto a funnel cake (people at fair's are weird.)
Or some might see the mobs of smelly, sticky, cranky people.
Some might see the dollar signs and clutch a bit tighter to their wallet, knowing that the car ride to the carnival is more entertaining than the $5 dollar rides at the carnival.
Some might hate the lameo music, the socially awkward teenagers manning the rides and the germs that are almost visible.

But happily for me, our little posse didn't see the carnival like that at all.
Jess, Neil and the interns were amazing as we ran this carnival-shoot.
We heard the little rickety roller coaster with girls screaming and laughing.
We loved the adorable 6-person-band singing their good ol' country hearts out.
We spotted the high school sweethearts operating rides together.
"She'll take your ticket, while I take her heart..."

We saw the colorful lights, sparkling in the country side.
We laughed and ran around like kids again.
Smelling popcorn, buying tickets and feeling bad for the guy in the "Bathtub Remodel" booth.
It was just fun, everyone. Plain, simple, old fashioned fun.

And maybe a little romantic :)

Oh! This was great. Jess and Neil did that water-gun "race" game. They were all talking smack and taking it so seriously.
Who won?!
Little girl down at the end who couldn't even push the trigger.
Nice :D

This screams America to me! Like apple pie! And baseball games!
Young, colorful summertime love!

I support this.

As the sun tucked itself into bed, I got to have some fun with my 50 1.2 lens, doing what it does best! Low light.

Mmmph.
So adorable.

I really wish you could have seen how dark it was. SO dark.
1.2's rock my houuuuse and my faaaace! Yay!

And so do Jess and Neil who were WoNdErFuL models, but are even better friends. I LOVE you guys!
(ps. I am in need of one more couple for Thursday, August 6th - my last group of interns! If you live in this area and you and your man are interested in something like this, let me knooow, yo.
kristen@kristenleigh.net)

Danna and Sam!

"i'm lucky i'm in love with my best friend"

Sometimes shoots just happen perfectly. Sometimes they are a little more difficult and you have to really, really work hard to get good results.

Danna and Sam's five-year-anniversary shoot was a perfect one. It was SO easy, and SO fun. The light was amazing, they looked amazing and everything just worked out so well :D

If you look back at Joe and Beth's wedding from June, you will see a picture of Sam on a video message from Iraq during the reception. He is home for a quick break, and in a few days he heads back to serve our country in Iraq. I am so glad that you two were able to see each other, and also so grateful for how you serve, Sam!

Danna is a good friend of our family - she actually was my boss last summer, and my dad is her boss. They work at a federal proposal company and, oh.my.gosh. let me tell you, nothing made me want to do photography more then working a "business job." I don't like to say hate, but I hated it.
My co-workers were all awesome - we had a great time together, even pulling "The Office" pranks on one another. But, goodnessgracious, that was not the job for me. Danna was the sweetest, most positive, and nicest boss you could dream of! And I respect her about th---------IIIIIiiiiiIIIII------ssss much for working so hard at that job! Big round of applause for you!!!

They are cute little humans :D

This is very WW2 era to me - I don't know why....

Their kids are going to have THE most beautiful eyes on planet earth. Goood night!

Who doesn't love a good construction site for pictures?





And a few more out in the sun! Yay!



The next two are my favorites from the day:

Favorite Day.

Tuesday is one of my favorite days of the week. On Tuesday I have small-group with my friends from church. I love, love, love going to it :)
So, in honor of small group Tuesday is going to be "favorites day" on my blog. A favorite song, favorite pictures, favorite things, favorite food, favorite humans... whatever I feel like talking about :)
Chris Brown's "With You" is actually one of my sisters favorite songs, and its pretty old now. I used to hate it, but for some reason when it was on the radio last week I loved it! I have been singing it all week and it's my favorite for today haha
I dedicate this song to all the couples I have shot so far this year!
"You mean to me,
What I mean to you
And together, baby,
There is nothing we won't do!"

"Cause if I got you
I don't need money
I don't need cars
Girl, you're my all!"

"And, Oh! I'm into you
And girl, no one else will do"

"Cause with every kiss
And every hug,
You make me
Fall in love!"

"And now I know,
I can't be the only one!"

"I bet their's hearts all over the world tonight
With the love of their life who feel what I feel
When I am with you, with you, with youuu!"
Oh, and California is also my favorite and I am particularly missing it today.

Natalie and I "heart" the ocean :)

photo credit: brienne michelle, who is also my favorite

Contest Winner #4!

The timing of this shoot could not have been better! Janet wrote to me in the fall, and raved about her husband, Seth (story at end of post.) In Janet's letter she emphasized what a hard worker Seth is. It was so sweet to me read this letter from a wife who loved her husband, and a husband who worked hard for his wife.
Janet and Seth - you are an example to the watching world! Thank you!

When I was driving to their house yesterday, I was listening to (what else?) country, and Alan Jackson's "Small Town Southern Man" came on. I know that Seth is not a farmer, and that they don't live in the country, but I love the way this song talks about a hard-working man!

"And he bowed his head to Jesus
And he stood for Uncle Sam"

"And he only loved one woman
Was always proud of what he had"

"He said his greatest contribution
Is the ones you leave behind"

"Raised on the ways and gentle kindness
Of a small town Southern man"

Janet and Seth are QUITE the little lovebirds - its very sweet :)

Carrying his bride over the threshold!

"You can break the back
But you can't break the spirit
Of a small town Southern man"

Because forehead kisses are the best...?





We just had to take some pictures inside their lovely first home. They are doing an amazing job in it! It looks soooo good!







And one last outside one:

You guys were wonderful! I had a really great time with you :)
And, Congratulations!

Here's the letter:

What could I say about this man who has changed my life so much?

I guess I should start in the beginning (so you might here some of our story with this, bear with me. I hope you like love stories). When I first knew of Seth, we hadn't even met. I was too proud to talk to him and he thought I was "too good" to talk to him (he was prob right). Yet in spite of my resistance, I was always drawn to the way that he cared for people. I loved to watch him from a distance and as time went on I wanted to know more about this guy. How he took the time to stop. To ask questions and to listen. To really take an interest. I'll never forget the many occasions I would go in the Flower Hill Starbucks and watch him share the Gospel with this guy and talk to him for hours. I'll also never forget watching him passionately pray for people after church on Sundays down front so faithfully. I'll never forget seeing his smile and his joy. I'll never forget wanting to know him more because of his love for Jesus. I'll never forget his love for and desire to serve God's people. And this was all before he became "my love."

In spite of being drawn to him, Seth was a surprise. I didn't really "like" him (or so I told myself, I always thought he was super cute!). It grew out of a friendship and it grew out of another thing that I would honor him for: he is a servant. About 1.5 years ago, we were out with friends on the weekend and one of our friends side swipped my car that we both happened to be in. Seeing the damage he offered to fix it for me. I was rejoicing that it was going to be taken care of, but I didn't expect him to call me so soon. It was a Monday and I was working and he called saying he could fix it that night (I almost didn't go over because I was getting sick) and we ended up going out to dinner together and started talking, and we haven't stopped since. We both weren't looking to get into a relationship and God blessed it anyways. It was never about us. God had a plan and he was writing our story!

Since being with Seth, life with him has only gotten happier, my love for Jesus and my passion for his kingdom has only grown deeper, and experiencing his love has only been sweeter. Now every rosy picture has a rough side. I'm the passionate one, he's the patient one and he is always so faithful to care for my soul when we don't agree or when I am struggling. And I can say with confidence that walking through those things together, there is no other person I would rather have stand by me in the hard times. I'm so grateful for him and God's perfect timing in bringing Seth into my life. We have been through it all together. It is the hard times when the "whats really in there" comes out. He has trusted God, loved me, and encouraged me when it just seemed like it was only going to get worse. Never did I see Him question Gods character or doubt that God was going to be faithful and deliver us through it all.

He is worthy of much honor not just in those ways, but in how he takes his role as a husband, leader and provider seriously. He works so hard for our family. Working for ARI(he fixes cars) he works outside every day, come heat or cold, he is there fixing bumpers, painting doors, and often putting in many 12 hour +days with the commute to and from. But he has NEVER complained and he always greets me upon his return home with joy in his heart and always asks me how he can serve me even though he is so tired! He is a faithful man. Faithful to his job and to his church. Every Tuesday he comes home, tired. Instead of leading our family in a way of comfort and leisure, he loves Gods people and we get to serve a group of singles and be their leaders. It isn't always the easiest, but he loves to serve for and care for God's people so much that he lays down his life to do it.

All of the things that I got to see from afar before God drew us together, I have only gotten to see more of. Its real. It wasn't just a facade and the list of things that I love and respect about him has only gotten longer. The story of God's unending faithfulness to him and to us has only been sweeter to both of us. God is good. He is kind. He has drawn our lives and hearts together for His glory and for His kingdom. That makes the way he loves me so much better.

This is a very short version of a very long story of all the things I could say about the man that God chose for me before there was time. What an amazing blessing he is to me.

Living a love song

"Baby, just look at us,
All this time and we're still in love"

...Surprise 25th Anniversary Party...

Juarez, Mexico

Ana Rebecca and Monica planned an incredible evening to bless, honor and surprise their parents, who have been faithfully married for 25 years. The whole celebration was FANTASTIC!

"Baby, when I look at you
With your hair falling down in your baby blues"Standing there across the room
I get so lost in the way you move
It makes me reminisce, back to years agoOn a night like thisTeary-eyed, as you took my handAnd I told you that I'd be your manSo many things have come, so many things have gone
One thing that's stayed the same isOur love still going strong

Baby just look at us, all this time and we're still in love
Something like this just don't exist between A backwood boy and a fairytale princess
Just livin' our love song

Oh darling, would you look at me
With my heart beatin' fast, and my shaky kneesIt's pretty hard to believe
After all these years, I still need you this badlyYou're dancing in my arms
With a spotlight moon and a sea of starsOh, girl we've come so far
Everything I want is everything that you areBaby just look at us, all this time and we're still in loveSomething like this just don't exist between aBackwood boy and a fairytale princessBut living our dreams, we shattered all doubts
Just livin' our love songCongratulations Carlos & Kena!!! You are SUCH an example!

post five: 25 years

"So Jacob served seven years for Rachel

and they seemed to him but a few days

because of the love he had for her."

Genesis 29:20

Make that 25 years, not seven.God is so good. How many people get to stand with their children and best friends, celebrating God's faithfulness over 25 years of marriage? Not many, but I sure am encouraged seeing them."You're still the one I run to

The one that I belong to":"You're still the one I want for life":

"You're still that I love

The only one I dream of":"You're still the one I kiss goodnight"

You're Still the One - Shania Twain