I interrupt this blog with an apology for taking so long...But surely you are still honeymooning!!! (the honeymoon lasts a good year right!!!) So with that said...I begin where I left off
Storyteller...that seems to be something that has been a theme perhaps for me as of late...I love stories...listening to...telling them...and when I take pictures they sometimes a story in themselves without saying a word. So when I was asked to take photos for a special person in my life...Michelle Petrie...I was honored to share in her story...this new chapter of her life...I think one of her joy chapters and definitely a LOVE chapter...
Michelle...the daughter of my cousin Vonnie...Vonnie the one instrumental in setting me up with my husband...Michelle the granddaughter of my mom's sister Betty...Yes we are family by blood...but I have been blessed to connect with Michelle on a complete different level...through music...through faith...our connection "underground" but connected all the same. I have had the privilege of getting to listen to some of her songs in progress...she taking some of my words and putting music and voice to them...music a part of her story...
She an amazing talent who has experienced some things in her life...moments that sometimes break one...but moments she captured through writing and singing of...storytelling...I feel God has been with her through this journey and though we connected initially through perhaps some sad chapters in our life...in time spent recently...it was as though the girl could not stop smiling. What was this difference? God brought a man called Jake into Michelle's life...and so on February 20, 2016, I was given the honor of capturing moments of real love and real life in the marriage of Michelle Petrie to Jake Seaton...and so at the Tapestry House in LaPorte, Colorado...I got to share in this real life...real love story...and a brick left behind as a memory of this day...
Michelle asking if I would take pictures for her wedding...though honored...I do not think of myself a professional photographer...when asked by the coordinator if I was the photographer and I paused and thought well I guess I am (though I am thankful for the help of two amazing photographers Tonya and Jeff Rylant who helped me tell this story...sharing their gifts) but I see myself as one who loves just capturing moments of life...and due to equipment malfunction...not sure that the correct word as my camera fell off the bed...NO I did not knock it off purposely...but a whole other story in the fact that I was blessed in getting a new lens that made this experience even more fun...so I share a few of those moments...that grabbed my heart...a part of the story of Jake and Michelle...
A favorite song and a beautiful wedding song...Bless the Lord Oh my soul...oh my soul...
One that I loved and I seemed to keep playing with it until finally I ended up with this one...but also kept many different versions of this...Michelle saying she actually has a picture of her smelling the flowers as a little girl...and I pray that you always take that time to stop and smell the flowers...she just seemed to glow...
Michelle getting ready and a kiss on the cheek from two of her women in her life...her mom and her mom's mom...G-Betty...
Then I hope you don't mind me showing your tears Michelle...but a touching part that many did not get to experience...Michelle surrounded by many of the women in her life praying for her...and then her G-Betty prayed over her...and just an amazing touching moment...I think the room did not have any without a tear...Michelle and Jake many prayers over you...God is with you...This picture part of your story...of the real life...of the real love of those who love you and support you...
These moments...yes that is where a beauty deeper than the eye can see...the beauty of love...passed down through generations...and I think of beauty and just Michelle and I in the room when her dad walked in...he looked at her with such love and with a crack in his voice said, "you're beautiful"...and yes Randy she did glow...
And then a kiss on the forehead...a hard job for a dad to do...give his little girl away...
Moments...and before the wedding these two pull up with the flowers...Michelle's sister-in-law Kallie...chauffeuring one of my favorite peeps...my Aunt Betty...but lovingly called "G-Betty" by her grands...
And amongst the flowers delivered was Kelly's flowers...Kelly receiving his own place at the ceremony. Kelly, my cousin, Michelle's uncle in which is part of her story...one of her songs...one who we lost too soon but his love could be felt there...as we know he would have been there with that cool smile of his...
In equal opportunity in sharing Michelle's tears...I add one that Tonya captured of the groom...some of my favorite moments are watching the look on the face of the groom as the woman he loves walks down the aisle...this one still brings a tear to my eye...The love shown here is one that penetrates the soul...a moment to hold in your heart forever Michelle...
Probably one that just made me laugh...and the bride and groom as well...the grandmother's...when excused from their photo responsibilities proceed to walk off...right in front of the bride and groom...one of my favorite pics and one that is held extra special as Jake and his family have since had to say goodbye to such a special woman in their life...my Aunt Betty to such a special friend...But how can you not feel the joy...the love...the story it tells...
And so through some technical difficulties and procrastination on my part...I have some additional pics that just seem to be my faves...I know I have several to pick through...but I add a few of them...and for the sake of finishing this blog...I do not add so many other stories of this day but for now...
Following the wedding...everyone gathered together and while Jeff and Tonya took the view from above...I had the lower view...in it I caught Michelle's parents looking up...another favorite for some reason...It really doesn't seem that long ago...that I was standing beside Vonnie on her wedding day and Tim standing beside Randy...and you wonder where the time goes...
Which brings me back to the bride and groom and my favorite pic...one so intimate as I stood in the background during the communion portion of their vows...and the love and intensity of this moment took my breath away...not sure I captured it completely but this view...the picture of a thousand words...the look in Michelle's eyes and Jake solid beside her...An amazing love...with Faith as their Foundation...
And so here is to you Jake and Michelle...I can't wait for more chapters of your story...but thank you for allowing me to be a part of this chapter...
I wonder what songs will come in the future...I caught Michelle singing this song off of my phone...an original written by Michelle and accompanied here by Tabitha Joy Campbell...Michelle's song Real Love is Real Life...a song honoring her grandparents who were not able to make it...but also a song Jake wanted her to sing and the words of this song have always captured me...and I think the thing in this video is if you watch Jake...he does not take his eyes off of Michelle...I think of how Jake has shared his smile and Michelle has shared her song...may you continue smiling and singing through the stories that await you.. I am excited to hear the songs that will come (I think Michelle will be singing soon in LaPorte...and I believe is continuing to work on her recordings). But for now...listen to this one...
I found a little carving that I gave the couple...Love......when each thinks they are the lucky one....and I really feel that each of these two think they are the lucky one...May God continue to bless this union to such an awesome couple!
Love and God bless!
lyp
