"Life is too short!"

The story behind this photo runs deep in my heart. This is my beautiful daughter, sharing a moment with me as she helps with my earrings and getting dressed. She was beaming with happiness for me, just as she always has.

 

Looking at this image, I’m reminded of another milestone—when I graduated from college, and she ran down onto the commencement floor to embrace me. Moments like these remind me how much I love her and how incredibly blessed I am to have her in my life.

 

She was there to witness the culmination of a journey that began with a chance encounter—one that turned into friendship, then love, and finally, a lifelong commitment. For so long, I had convinced myself that I would never find the "right person." Like Cinderella waiting for her Prince Charming, I sat at a reunion with a boyfriend who seemed more interested in anyone but me. Then, out of nowhere, there was Michael. Handsome, soft-spoken, and with the most gorgeous eyes that captured me in an instant.

 

The next year, I saw him again, and I just knew. After a breakup, Michael and I reconnected, and it felt like I was a teenager again—giddy, excited, and for the first time, truly seen. Through ups and downs, including a terrifying battle with COVID, he remained my rock, my best friend. When I recovered, I told him, "Life is too short—we need to do this right." And so, we did.

 

Through every step of our wedding, Kelli was more than just a photographer—she was a storyteller. We had hoped for sunshine, but instead, we were met with a gentle snowfall, and she embraced that quiet beauty. From the tender moments with my daughter to my brother walking me down the aisle, Kelli captured it all with effortless grace. She never rushed us, never forced a pose—she simply found the moments as they happened, making them eternal.

 

Looking at our photos, I see not just a wedding, but a love story—one that began long before that day and will continue for a lifetime. The story of our wedding is soul-soothing memories that we will cherish forever.