Lowry Nature Center Fall Photos, Waconia, MN // the Griffiths

​We were in one exhibit bubble and they were in another. The gorilla wasn’t paying any attention. His back was up against their bubble. Brady started making goofy sounds to try to get the gorilla’s attention. Mark and I had only a point and shoot camera, photography was not on our radar but we still enjoyed capturing the day-to-day life.  Mark leaned over to me and whispered, “you should start recording this!” I hit the red button immediately, capturing Brady’s attempt and seeming failure. Then it happened. The gorilla turned around quickly, smashed their bubble with his fists. We could hear the scream, then the laughter as we watched the gorilla run away. Stopping at the Omaha Zoo on a road trip to a good friend’s wedding with these two was I think a turning point in our friendship as couples. We were instantly bonded in those silly moments from the gorilla to Brady’s obsession with Michael Buble. Realizing we had a rare friendship where we could all be friends individually and enjoy time together as a couple as well. 

How did we meet? College. The cool kid soccer star, the one everyone wanted to be friends with -- that was Brady. Mark was a freshman on Crown’s campus. So was Brady. They were both in Christian leadership group. Mark watched him and very quickly hoped he’d be a friend. Brady was and is the type of guy that welcomed everyone. Making them feel like they genuinely mattered and are appreciated. Finding out they were in the same CLS break out group was icing on the cake. They soon hit it off and discovered they were both goofy guys with a love of soccer and Dreamwork’s Madagascar.

​I don’t remember when I first met Alyssa but I remember thinking she was gorgeous, smart, and seemed like an awesome girl. My best friend was a good friend of hers. Brady was a good friend of Mark’s. Plus, Brady sat behind me in Dr. Gustafson’s Psychology of Addictions and would trade me my study guide for his Michael Buble’ Christmas album. So somewhere along the line, we started hanging out with these two as a couple with other couples and then were able to hang out with them individually. I have loved watching our personal friendship grow in all of this.

​We’ve been through a lot since then. A fondue double date gone wrong (hello fire extinguisher, sleeping on the floor of Brady’s parent’s house, and all using Brady’s steroid inhaler to help open our lungs). The heart shaped pizzas and roses enjoyed on Valentine’s Day. Capturing their baby announcement, excitement of them finding out the gender of their firstborn, as well as taking their maternity photos. And most recently, walking through kids with reflux together. 

​Brady and Alyssa, you two have been such a source of encouragement to us. You encourage us to take time for each other, for Christ, and for our children. You encourage us to laugh and take life less seriously and yet see that in light of eternity, we have to be intentional. You have given us so many Brady-isms from “hoober-loober” to “French fry.” You listen to our struggles and help carry our burdens as well as share yours. We love you both dearly – as well as little Eli -- and are so excited to see how God continues to use you in the lives of those around you!
 
<3 LW (and MW)

GET TO KNOW US

PORTRAIT INQUIRY

THE FAQs