love is autumn wildflowers, overcoming writer’s block, and giving back to pay it forward

It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged a wedding story. For a long time (too long, really) I would find myself very well intentioned and motivated AF to share whatever beautiful, humbling, perfect story I had most recently captured. But my own marriage was falling apart, which made it seem as though everything in and around and about my life was on fire, and to top it off I was in the throes of the deepest depression of my life. There was no way I could even begin to endeavor to speak humbly or honestly or optimistically about two people and the promise of lifelong love and commitment. But, being the stubborn perfectionist-fire-sign-always-have-t0-get-shit-done-come-hell-or-high-water woman I am, I was bound and determined to dredge up some inner fucking strength and try.

Fast forward to several days/nights/entire weekends of me spent inextricably staring at my keyboard, the cursor flashing impatiently, annoyingly, emphatically on the computer screen, where it would remain until I finally gave into an immense feeling of utter failure and walked away. With one or two exceptions, I haven’t managed to pen anything longer than an Instagram caption. It was impossible for me to form coherent (let alone articulate) sentences that would even begin to adequately describe the clients who entrusted me with their stories over the last 18 months, despite my best intentions or efforts.

Fast forward again to today. To right now. Wednesday morning, where I’ve been perched at my keyboard for two hours writing and re-writing in an effort to find exactly the right way to tell Kate and Adam’s wedding story. Yet still, I can’t.

But for different reasons this time. The words aren’t coming because they haven’t been created to describe people like Kate and Adam. They entered last year’s give-a-day contest (launching for 2018 tomorrow!!) and shared their story with Christopher and me and we were both immediately blown away by these two humans, their love for each other, and the monumental size of their hearts. In her submission, Kate wrote that she had known Adam since grade school, that they have been together since that time, and as such have worked diligently, vulnerably, and courageously together to build their foundation (a journey that was not without it’s challenges and setbacks). Endeavoring through the past decade (and then some) with each other created in both of them a willingness and fortitude to navigate the mess of adulting alongside one another, and the deeply rooted truth that they will be able to tackle, hand in hand, whatever the Universe throws their way.

The second I met Kate I knew she was going to be a friend of mine for life. That hers was the exact kind of energy that I needed more of in my life, and I felt immediately thankful that our hearts had finally crossed paths (which took ridiculously long considering I’ve known her sister for nearly five years. The world really is so small.) When I met Adam, it was simply whoa. Just. Whoa. Instantly I could feel the love and connection between these two humans, and knew that Kate and Adam were not the kind of people who hide emotions or shy away from vulnerability. They embrace the mess of life and honesty and love. They radiate it. Kate and Adam know, wholeheartedly and without a trace of doubt, that we grow strongest when we find the courage to pick ourselves back up after we fall, that family – whether that’s the one we’ve made or were born into – are our fiercest champions, most loyal companions and matter more than anything else, and that we should always – always – say yes to adventure.

These are a few of my favorite images from Kate and Adam’s perfectly imperfect, rainy and warm, laughter filled, heart-bursting, tear-inducing wedding day: