This was a romance straight out of the movies.

The school security guard was called to help a teacher with a student's behavioral situation. Upon entering the classroom, the teacher (a beautiful young woman named Samantha) shares how she would like to handle it and asks for the ability to proceed with him there as backup. The security guard, Eric, stands back, the situation resolves, and he asks for her number. Yet gets nothing in return. Days go by and Eric receives Samantha's number through one of her friends, persuading her to go on a date. Soon they become an inseparable pair. Eric goes to meet her family and her dad is excited to finally have another man in the house -- he's been the only one for a long time with Samantha's two sisters and mom. 

Being a wedding photographer is always a privilege, but some weddings touch your heart in ways that stay with you forever. Recently, I had the honor of photographing a beautiful and intimate wedding at Hotel Crosby in Stillwater. What made this wedding particularly special was the story behind it.

This was one of the most unique weddings I have ever photographed. The couple were each at their second wedding days after being married previously, but it has been a completely separate journey. This was a remarriage as they decided to come back together and renew their commitment to each other. It is a second chance at love, but more importantly, it was about reuniting their family. Their daughter stood proudly by her mother's side as the maid of honor, and their son beamed with pride as he supported his father as the best man. The love and support from their children were palpable throughout the day.

Joy. This would be the word best used to describe Chris and Rob on their wedding day at Almquist Farms. They were beaming from head-to-toe unbelievable joy -- on and off the camera. Their guests were beaming for excitement of these two becoming one. Their adult kids beamed join sharing their encouragement and agreement that this relationship is good and important to each of them. Joy. Unbelievable joy. The source of it? Chris and Rob would say Jesus Christ.

This is a special one for us! Erin has been an amazing friend for a very long time and at one point was a youth group student under Mark when we first came to our church, Hope Community Church in Cottage Grove. We have watched her grow up, we have seen her go off to college and come back to find a job, and we have prayed with her for her future hopes and dreams.