Week 2.33: Mariners

Week 2.33: Mariners is a photo of a gorgeous couple I had the pleasure of celebrating with last week. It was a last minute booking...really last minute. The groom's mom booked me 6 days before the wedding!!! I'm soo glad I took this job!

First off, I have to say, you never know where the next connection in life is going to come from. This couple came to me via my good friend from art school days, Rita. THANKS, Rita, for an awesome referral!!!

Second of all, I have to say, Mariners shows me (once again) how very, very much I love my job. It's funny, somehow/sometimes I can forget how happy I am being a photographer. It's really strange, actually, how I can panic and wonder how in the world/what on earth am I doing?!? But the second I click the shutter on my first image, a wave of contentedness washes over me and drenches me with the most refreshing, satisfying sense of being. It's like nothing else in the whole wide world to me.

Third of all, Mariners strikes at the heart of who I am and what I believe. Twice on the day I took this photo, two different members of the family, from two opposite sides of the relations, poured out two sets of advice to these two Mariners who pledged their lives to one another. The first advice came from the groom's uncle who referenced the patriarch of the family.

Apparently Abuelo had a long, happy marriage and on his 60th anniversary he was asked to share his advice for others. He said (and I paraphrase): You have to be a good "marinero." Know that storms will come. Buckle down and weather the storm. Take the sunshine with the rain and the calm seas with the rough waters. Hard times will come; hold on to the one you love and you'll both come out on the other side.

The second set of advice came from a cousin on the bride's side. Same concept, although with slightly different presentation. She said (and, again, I paraphrase): Be reasonable. Don't expect roses and rainbows and candy everyday. In the dark days, remember days like today...and why you chose each other. Hard days are just as sure to come as the easy days. Love each other no matter what; hold on to the one you love and you'll both come out on the other side.

The love of these Mariners is undeniable. But it's about to be put to the test on a whole new level. He's finishing training and is pretty likely on his way to a deployment assignment while she stays here and loves him in the country he fights for. Tough stuff. I admire them. For loving so deeply and continuously and with such abandon and such joy. I'm so glad I got to celebrate their marriage with them!

This blog is dedicated to my (undercover Feature Favorite) sister-in-law, Wren (aka Le-a), who has just survived the longest time of her life while her husband, Jordan (aka Korean), was deployed to Afghanistan. He returns stateside at the end of this month!!! I love you both so very much. I am so very thankful for the sacrifices you've made for each other and for love and for our country. Thank you for being first-rate Mariners. You have my deepest respect, admiration, and love.