I met Alex's mom a couple weeks ago while working at Relay for Life - Alex, her son who just graduated from high school will be going into the military, and before he left to go to training, she wanted pictures taken of him and of his wonderful girlfriend, Karissa. I was honored to take some photos of him, and the two of them before he left.
It was a nice warm morning, and we met at Arbuckle park. It was a perfect, with the sun shining, and we immediately scoped out a bunch of great places to snap pictures. Karissa and Alex are such a fun loving couple - and I was blessed to be able to spend time with them, and capture some photos of them together! Part of my job is getting you to be comfortable (most of the time this is accomplished by making a fool of myself! Something that isn't too hard for me...) because when you are comfortable, your personality shines (and your real smiles come out!)
Below are a few favorites from the morning I spent with Alex and Karissa. They are such great young adults - and I'm excited for the both of them and their futures - as Karissa finishes up high school, and as Alex goes out to serve our country in the military. I wish you both the very very best!!
I don't know about other adolescent girls, but when I was one, I listened to a lot of music, and I would often times pretend as if the song that was playing was "for me" from whatever crush I had at the time. It was always far fetched, because in all reality, most of the boys I wished would dedicate a song to me, or even make me the ever elusive mixed tape, didn't know I even existed. Since then I've had a few of those mixed tapes made for me, and perhaps a few dedications if you will. But not many of them can quite compare to the song meant for me, picked out by my very own father to dance to at my wedding.
My dad is one of those guys that is full of integrity, comes off quiet but has a sneaky sense of humor in all situations, and has character that I admire and aspire to attain someday. He's thoughtful, and when I am with him, I feel as though he is really there, in the moment, and is really listening to what I am saying.
He's also a guy who is incredibly easy going and easy to make decisions with, because almost no matter what I offer up, he gives a "that sounds good," or "sure," or "I like the comfy one." So, in the wedding planning process that was the year before mine and my husband's wedding, he was incredibly easy to work with. A few days before the wedding he made one of the only requests to be made by him in the entire wedding planning process. He had picked out a song for me - for us - and wanted us to dance to that song on my wedding day. He picked it out. Just for me. When I listened to it, I broke down and cried, not only because it is such an incredibly sweet song, but also because it speaks of my dad's character. Caring, supportive, loving, and calming. Below is one of the best songs that anyone has ever picked out for me, that was meant just for me. To this day, tears go down my face when I hear the song - sometimes I even cry a little harder. All because of the love for my dad, and his gentle spirit that speaks to me through the lyrics of the song.
Thank you dad, for teaching me what a real man looks like, acts like, and treats a woman like. It is because of you, that I am who I am today. Happy Father's Day! I love you!
Brooke and I have been in the same church small group over the last couple years, and she is a sincere, unique, and fun loving friend! I have been there when she first starting talking about Nate, and when they began dating, and have gotten to know Nate even better as he has joined our small group - and he has been a fantastic addition! Below is the story of our fun day - hanging out, drinking coffee, and walking around taking pictures of them - love this couple!
On Friday morning we planned to meet at my house, and then head down to Mass. Ave. in downtown Indianapolis. It's an area that is fun, fresh, and young - just like Nate and Brooke. As we got into the area, Brooke and Nate mentioned a coffee shop where they sat and talked for hours when they first began dating. We just had to stop by and snag a few pictures of such a memorable place for them.
Nate and Brooke kept telling me how they just were not good at this picture thing.... Well, it just didn't show behind the lens. They were natural - and were stunning just being them! At one point I showed Brooke one of the photos that really showed off how handsome Nate is, and sure enough she squealed, "He's hot!!" We took pictures, got ice coffees, walked around and talked, and took even more pictures. I had so much fun with them, and I am so blessed to have been able to capture them in their engagement.
They are so so so in love, and are anxiously looking forward to their upcoming wedding day - in early September. I see so many good things in their future together - loving others, serving God, and being there for each other in good times and the not so good times too. Many blessings to this wonderful couple! Enjoy a few of my favorites from the day!
There is absolutely something about vacation, and for me, one place I love to frequent is North Carolina. I don't know if its the Southern charm, the sandy beaches, the rich food scene, or the nightlife and the things to see and do. Get me to Wilmington, and I breathe a little easier, move a little slower, and drink my sweet magnolia wine sip by sip. I love this place - it's not home, but sometimes it sure feels a lot like it!
I was so blessed this time, to be able to have my husband tag along for a few days and enjoy some family time with him and my parents. They have a house that they live in during parts of the year, a sweet little 1800s bungalow.
We went this food tour that was by far, hands down, best food tour I have ever been on. One by one, we walked all around down town Wilmington and stopped at 7 restaurants. Our tour guide is a local food writer in the area - she is so well known, that as we walked down the street you could hear the random "hey Liz!"
She gave a lot of fun facts about the history of restaurants and of Wilmington in general. We met chefs, ate a lot of tasty food, and ate even more tasty food. It was, by far, a great highlight of the trip! If you are ever in Wilmington, I would highly recommend it. I think I might even do the tour again!
Below are a few more random pictures from the trip. Tomorrow is the last day - then back home to reality!!
(Oliver loves the back of couches - he sinks into them here!)
