One Avocado.

It all started because I picked up an avocado in the grocery store. The man next to me smiled, so I smiled back. He asked, Do you like avocados? I told him that I LOVED avocados. And, that is how an ordinary Thursday morning turned into an extraordinary Thursday morning.

He is 83 years old. She is 89 years old. He turned to his wife with a smile and asked her to tell me of the amazing avocado recipe that she makes from her hometown in Argentina. She handed him one of the two items she was holding with shaky hands as she described her recipe. Her eyes had wisdom and a sparkle to them. He asked, Do you speak Spanish? I told him I wish because I think it is one of the most beautiful languages. I went on telling him I photograph people and some of my recent families are from South America, and it is my ultimate goal to visit there one day! He told me how different it is now compared to 30 or 40 years ago.

He went on to tell me they were born during the Great Depression, they traveled the world together from Italy to England to Switzerland to South America to the Pacific Islands and back for 25 years as he served in the military. They had it rough, but they had each other. Camden, MO is where he managed a company for 22 years and they ended in Kansas City. They have been married for 60 years. My heart at this point was tugging and a knot had formed deep into my throat. Because, naturally, I am sucker for older people who have been married for a long time. Ask Bryan. Everytime he tells me about his great-grandparents, I tear up a little bit more. I told them what a wonderful blessing it is for them to have such a happy marriage. I continued by telling them I just got married, and they both beamed with happiness. He pinched my cheeks and smiled. Just like my dad. He told me I had a glow on my face. He asked what my hubby did for a living. Yes, he used the word hubby, which about sent my heart to the stars and back. But, it was the next few things he said to me that had me crying in the middle of the grocery store.

You see the past few weeks have been tough. I have been scared, I have cried, I have prayed more than I ever have in my life and I have been the happiest for a number of reasons. The past few days in particular have been hard. However, each day that has been hard, God has blessed me with random people to lift my spirits and to make me stronger. So as I listened to this man in the grocery store, my heart slowly took off the free weights it had been bench pressing the past few days. He said, I knew when I first met you, there was something special about you. I could tell before you walked up. Your smile is contagious. Life is tough, but you will be grateful when you are our age. Your husband and you are going to live a beautiful life together. I just know it. So keep smiling and stay happy and stay together through the good and the bad. His wife smiled and told me to always have faith and to love one another unconditionally. Just like that, they took each other's hands and walked away telling me to live beautifully and happily.

I stood there watching them both walk off wondering if that actually happened. It was the most random thing. Ever. But, in those 10 minutes I went from being upset to being incredibly grateful. Just. Like. That.

And, all I could think about was Bryan. How grateful I am to have him as my husband. One day when I am 87 years old and Bryan is 89 years old, I hope to tell our children and grandchildren the hardships we overcame, the successes we accomplished and the love we cherished each day! Because isn't that what life is all about in the end? Living and loving. To the fullest. And, I have one avocado to thank for this wonderful and touching story!

Happy Friday!

Family: The Bahrs.

It's been something I have been wanting to do. But, each time I come to a session, see little kids, I get all frazzled, scared and overwhelmed. However, I finally did it! I finally made myself take a deep breath before I walked up to the family and told myself, it is now or never. I decided on now. I shot this entire session in manual mode, and it was hard at times, frustrating and I definitely felt frazzled trying to get the right settings to get the right picture. I still have a lot to learn and not every picture came out perfectly, but this is the beginning of MUCH better pictures. I for one am ecstatic!

Now on to the Bahr family! I have noticed how small the world is through photography and the people we meet. For instance, Eric, the husband, of this family was in the previous graduating class from Bryan. And, he works with some of my good friends. And I am pretty sure he was an aid in one of the classes I took in college. Needless to say, Eric, Bryan and I had a LOT in common, both being Structural Engineers! Bridget is the gal you see in the pictures who has one of the MOST patient hearts I have ever witnessed. Imagine being a mother of three children, two who are TODDLERS. Now, imagine how patient you have to be with TWO toddlers and one baby. You get the picture. She is very patient, kind and just has the most beautiful personality. And smile. Their two toddlers, Madison and Kaiden, are just the happiest, most energetic bunch of toddlers Bryan and I had the pleasure of meeting! My favorite part of the session was just how happy Kaiden would get when he saw the ducks at the park. I'm pretty sure if I had his attitude in life, my life would be way less stressful! And, then there is sweet baby Kealy who has the BEST BEST BEST smile I have photographed. I mean all it took was one look at her and she was the happiest. I think six to seven month babies are becoming my favorites lately. All is takes is one smile from them and my heart is doing laps!

Eric and Bridget, it was so so wonderful spending the evening with the two of you and your family! Your little munchkins are too cute for words! Enjoy some of my favorites!

Family: Melina and Lia.

The words rolled off her tongue, and I was mesmerized. Think Penelope Cruz meets Salma Hayek. She made every word sound enchantingly beautiful. Even the word precious or tree sounded unlike any word I have ever heard. And, her smile and laughter were ever so contagious. I am not kidding. We laughed the entire session, and I am pretty sure Bryan and I had laughed quite a few times to the point that I could not take pictures. She is SO funny! I should mention her gorgeous name. Melina.

Don't even get me started on her daughter, Lia. She is as breathtaking as her name. Her smiles are just like her mama. Ever so contagious. She could not stop giving me her best smiles. Everything made her happy. Everything. Just saying her name would form the biggest smile that made my own heart smile...from one side to the other.

Melina and Lia are a beautiful pair! They made my job so incredibly easy. Hearing Melina's story of how she made it to America, married a wonderful American man and is the mama to a beautiful baby girl made me feel uplifted. It made me realize how I don't just love taking photographs of the people I meet. I love their stories. You know, what lead to them to who and where they are today. SO many of my clients' stories are so inspiring, and it gives me a better understanding of who they are just like Melina and Lia's story.

Melina, you are beautiful. That is all I can say to describe you. Beautiful. Inside and outside. You have a gorgeous personality that radiates. Like the sun. As for Lia, can we babysit her?! For real. I want to hang out with her more often b/c she is just too cute for words! I hope your husband enjoys these b/c they are simply stunning! xoxo.

Family: The Kangethes.

Let me start off by saying just how CUTE this family is. Oh so cute. I should also mention that about five minutes before each of my sessions, I get really nervous. I'm talking heart is beating, palms are sweaty and my mind is racing with thoughts of doing a good job! You would think after a year this would go away. Maybe in another year. I am getting off topic. Where was I? Ah yes...

As I am walking up, I see this gorgeous family all dressed in shades of blue. I take one look at Christina, the mother, and my nerves go away b/c she has this welcoming smile about her that put my heart and mind at ease. As I met her husband and kids, I knew we were in for a fun time! Taylor and Aly are the oldest, active in sports and very intelligent. I tried telling them in about five years they were going to be the best of friends; they didn't believe me right then. After all, a bond between two sisters is indescribable. Lex and Campbell are the youngest and just so stinking cute! Campbell is SUCH a good little three old who adores her big sisters. Lex, he is two years old, independent and just one handsome little man. For real. Archie is hands down one of my favorite dads I had the pleasure of photographing. He came with a smile on his face, played with the kids and only mentioned once that he was ready for dinner. (I had to give you a little trouble, Archie!)

The Kangethes are just one sweet-loving, happy and busy family and the love they have for one another is depicted throughout every one of the photographs I captured. The first one is my favorite and perfectly represents each of them to the fullest.

Archie and Christina, enjoy! Bryan and I LOVE your family and you all were so easy to photograph! I told you, candids are the best way to go, so hope you love them! xoxo.