A few weeks ago, I had A DAY. By that I mean, I was absolutely exhausted and sleeping by 3:30 in the afternoon.
You see, on that Friday night, I had this super fun and incredibly sweet vow renewal for a family that I’ve been photographing for years. They exchanged vows, shared tears, and danced with their family and friends. I cried and danced too.
Then the next morning, I woke up and drove to Erie to photograph one of my very best friends getting engaged! Her boyfriend (now fiancé!) had me keep this secret for months and it was killing me. I was equally excited and relieved for the day to be here so I didn’t have to lie any more!
To say I cried is a huge understatement. I sobbed into the back of my camera. I was like, “Hope these images are clear because I can’t see anything!”
It was such a beautiful moment, the culmination of every heartache and love each of them experience in their lives. They walked their own individual paths for decades, saying gentle yes’s along the way, yes’s that they had no idea would lead them to that morning, to each other.
To watch them make this initial promise. To see the genuine joy streaming from their eyes. To know this is the biggest decision of their lives. It was one of the most special moments I’ve ever witnessed.
And then.
I drove straight to the airport. Why? Because there was another BIG YES happening there that day. You’ve seen photos of sweet Lucia and her family. Well on that very same day, their family grew because they said yes.
After a few years of lots of paperwork and waiting and hoping, they would finally be united with their adopted son, River. I couldn’t believe they asked me to come photograph it. For that, I will be forever grateful.
Jason had been in China with River for two weeks and landed in Denver after a marathon day of traveling. Juliet and the girls had never met their new brother, so I knew it would be emotional. Juliet looked at me and said, “I don’t think I’ll cry. Well, maybe. But I don’t think so.”
I laughed at her but was still so excited to see her face. And then Jason and River came up the escalators. Floodgates: open.
Juliet cried. More than a little. Scout jumped up and down and couldn’t wait to hug her daddy. Strangers stopped and cried as Juliet clutched her son. And again, for the second time that day, I wept with happiness, right into my viewfinder, hoping for the best.
