So much as happened so far – but to share a few photos about things that I have loved about this summer so far…
Eating beignets and drinking hot chocolate in New Orleans
Coming home to my favorite flowers after a long day from work.
Sushi and wine with a friend for Happy Hour
Kayaking to whereever I want to go.
Washington DC from the Potomac River on a gorgeous summer day
Okay, I already did a post tonight – but I would be remiss to not mention a thing about Valentine’s Day – considering that every single blog I follow mentioned something about Valentine’s Day.
So.. Happy Love Day my readers.
I don’t think Valentine’s Day is just for people in relationships. I’m not saying this just because I’m single – because… surprise – I’m actually quite happy to be single – but also because there is just too much negativity sometimes around Valentine’s Day.
Negativity around Valentine’s Day? Say what? Yes – negativity. All I hear from the single folks are – ugh, I hate Valentine’s Day… ugh, stupid people in red, blah blah blah.
Who cares? What really gets me is that people define themselves or others on whether or not they are in a relationship. Do they have a boy/girlfriend? Are they married? If the answer is no, why not? Blah blah blah… who cares!
I’m single and happy. If I were in a relationship, I’d be happy. The reason I’m single? Because right now, I like it that way. I do my own thing, when I want, however I want.
But I digress – Valentine’s Day is not just for people in relationships – it is with friends, with family with loved ones – and with oneself.
I had the ability to be with friends tonight and be surrounded by their love – which I already feel on a daily basis. But you know what? I have an extremely busy week and I leave for Colombia on Saturday.
So – I stayed in – made leftovers of my meatloaf I made last night and watched one of my favorite movies – Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (I watched the Fellowship of the Rings last night and will watch The Return of the King tomorrow). What better way to make me feel good?
Anyway, Happy Love Day readers. I hope you spread the love to your family and friends and don’t forget to love yourself!
Have you ever seen an amazing example of love and patience? Because this past Christmas weekend, I know I saw it.
One of my very best friends is in the hospital.
On Thursday, December 23, at 23 weeks and 2 days pregnant – her water broke in the middle of the night.
She and her husband rushed to the hospital where they confirmed that her water had broken and she was then admitted to the hospital. That morning, I was waking up – getting ready to head to a nearby cafe so I could start working, when I saw a text from her – saying that her water broke and if could join her in the hospital since it had free wi-fi. There was no hesitation on my part as I dressed as quickly as I could, thought of some things to bring to the hospital and rushed to join her.
There I met her and her husband, where I could tell both were extremely worried because the fact that her water had broken meant that she could easily go into labor – though the goal at this point was make sure this didn’t happen. The baby was only 23 weeks and for the baby’s development it was best for it to stay in it’s Momma’s womb.
Through other technical and medical information that I won’t relay here – my friend got transferred to one of the best hospitals in the the U.S. – Fairfax Inova Hosptial – where my friend and her unborn baby could be taken care of with the best of care.
Again, this was Thursday, December 23. I stayed with my friend the entire time. I tried to comfort her and keep her calm. I tried to make sure her husband could take care of any necessary errands. And through it all – I saw the love they shared – the strength they had and I knew that they could make it through anything.
Through the weekend – I visited her and her husband at the hospital. She is on total bed rest – and is being watched over with constant care. She is hooked up to IVs and medicine… she wasn’t able to eat due to the medicine she was on – so she was being fed through an IV. She was given steroids to help the development of the baby’s lungs, also she was given antibiotics to help keep away infection.
And through it all – I saw the most amazing strength that I woman could have. Here she was, my best friend, in a bed, being filled with medicine, poked and prodded and through it all she kept up her optimistic attitude and beautiful smile. I am in awe of her strength. And by her side was her husband – constantly checking on her needs, making sure she was as comfortable as possible. He rarely left her side – only through her orders for him to have some quiet time to himself would he leave – and mainly so he could run errands – but he returned to her side constantly.
Christmas Eve – her husband and her family came by to decorate her room with a mini Christmas tree and Christmas lights. Their Christmas presents were brought in – so she could open presents on Christmas day.
Friends and family paraded through her room constantly – and she was nearly on the phone at least once an hour – and although she was exhausted and barely got any sleep – she welcomed all friends and family with a big smile knowing that doing so would comfort them. She was most concerned with telling people that she was in the hospital because she didn’t want to worry them. But it’s a testament to her that so many people called and visited, because it only shows how amazing of a person she is.
My friend is still in the hospital. Her husband sitting by her side. She and the baby are getting stronger every day. She will continue to be in the hospital and being monitored to make sure she and the baby stay healthy with the #1 goal being that her baby stay in her for a long as possible. This could be very many weeks in the hospital – which she and her husband are fine with, if it means the health of her baby.
And I know they can both get through this difficult stressful time – she and her husband are both extremely strong and patience. Their support system is amazing.
But I am just amazed at all the love that shines through the both of them.
If you all can keep them and their baby in your prayers, that would mean the world to me.
Merry Christmas!
I did my first engagement shoot this past Sunday!!!! My good friend Jamie’s brother Jeremy is getting married to Kelly – thus, the title of this post.
Jamie – also a photo enthusiast – and I – were taking photos and Jeremy and Kelly were our guinea pigs. 
They were such good sports – and we also wanted to take advantage of a lens (70-200mm) that I had rented and used for the wedding that I helped to photograph the day before (pictures to come).
So, I don’t know Jeremy and Kelly extremely well, though I have been around them when at gatherings that Jamie has organized.
But knowing Jeremy and Kelly just a little bit, I know that they are such a lovely couple. So sweet, so nice, and extremely funny. They were laughing the entire time and it was just so much to photograph such a happy, fun couple. And a cool fact – Jeremy and Kelly are high school sweethearts! How awesome is that??? So sweet!
We took the photos at the nearby Great Falls National Park (State Park?) – which is along the Potomac River. It has great views, fun trails, and on Sunday, the weather was absolutely gorgeous. It was in the 60s with blue skies… a great day. We were at the park for about 3 hours until sunset, so we could get some great photos with the sunset sky in the background. But by sunset, the temperature was dropping and we were frozen solid! But the entire time Jeremy and Kelly were such great sports, willing to get dirty and didn’t complain with all the directions that Jamie and I were giving them.
It was a blast! Here are some of the photos that I took of the happy couple… some of the photos are Jamie’s too (I’ll specify hers)… but enjoy!!!
We will also be doing another engagement shoot with Jeremy and Kelly in May, but the next time we’ll do a city scene in Baltimore! We’re pretty excited for it!
Kelly and Jeremy at the Overlook at Sunset
Ran across this video – what a wonderful and beautiful thing!
