love | and the small stuff

i am blessed.
some days, when i actually take the time to look up from my desk and look around at all the blessings in my life-i can hardly believe it. i get so busy just going, going, going, that i hardly take the time to step back and let it all sink in.
thankfully, the Lord has blessed me with a partner for life-that reminds me of all of those things.
although, he's done his fair share of BIG things throughout our relationship-it's the small things that i love the most.
Don't get me wrong here! I'm a sucker for the scavenger hunt proposal, the surprise salsa dancing lessons, the flowers on the hood of my car when I get to it in the morning...just because, the midnight run to get a slurpee on my birthday, the surprise of winning me a spot at Love Affair with the making of a giant engagement ring out of a tractor tire...(the list goes on...)

all that stuff is almost unbelievable to me at times...but it's the small stuff that really gets me. The fixing me lunch before class because i got too caught up in editing the last wedding that i ran out of time to do it myself, the "i miss you" text messages i receive approximately 10 minutes after leaving his house, the voice on the other end of the line that answers "YAAAY!!!!" instead of just "hey", the dance moves that he knows will always make me laugh, the "I'm sorry" after a disagreement, and the "I love you's" any time, all the time...

well...we've got another one to add to the list of big things- :)
sunday, our dear friend brittany took some bridal pictures for me! i showed up to her house with my mom, the gown on, make-up done, hair ready, and veil in hand. brit walked out of her house holding something fluffy and white-and proceeded to tell me that she had been Aric's head model for the last couple hours and that Aric had made me a birdcage veil.

*I had been planning to have 2 veils for our wedding (the traditional, and then a fun birdcage for the reception) but couldn't find a birdcage that worked for me, so I gave up. But Aric had not. He was determined to get me what I wanted-and ladies and gentlemen...he did.
Here's a little sneak peak that Brit put on her blog... along with a shot that I took of the veil for this blog.
:)

brooke + dean | wedding teaser

we are still recovering from this last wedding. i've never been so a part of a wedding in my entire life. best friend duties are way harder than photographer duties-and being both just about killed me. :). i kid. but really, i loved every part of brooke and dean's wedding and we are so thankful that these two lovebirds are in our life!! they are on their top secret honeymoon adventure right now-and i just want to wish you guys all the best!! we love you both!!
Hope these will hold you over for a few days... :)
aric + casey

brooke | bridals

this is my best friend. you have seen her before around here-but not like this. she was one of the most beautiful brides EVER...and I'm having way too much fun going through her wedding photos, but for now here are a few favorites from her bridal session.
wedding photos coming soon...
:)
aric + casey










the boots her HUSBAND got her for Christmas...



i do realize the editing got a little out of control on this last one-i just thought it was way too fun to not share though!! :)

joe + melanie | lubbock wedding photographer

she sat in his usual seat.
and that's pretty much all it took to bring these two together. after many late nights talking about just about EVERYTHING...or sometimes talking about nothing at all, OU football, date nights, and getting to know each other's family- they both knew they were meant for each other. "when we could just sit there, side by side, not having to talk about anything-just be with one another..." that's when they knew.
their wedding was a momentous occasion. aric and i loved being there for every part of it. and every part was perfect. I feel like I know their love story backwards and forwards from all the many questions we asked them about it! but that's what our job is all about-documenting people's love stories. joe and melanie are extraordinary people with an intense desire to love. love each other. love friends. love family. even love strangers. and the source of their love is obvious. and beautiful.
here...i'll just show you... :)

LOVED melanie's hair, it was gorgeous!

sugarbrowns in the morning makes every day better!







all ready to go with the dress on!






i thought the guys looked good in b&w

brothers

LOVED the bow details (and the purple of course!)



the bride and her mom!


ADORABLE little flower girl!


a little girl talk before the ceremony





love this one of them leaving...grain and all...



















a little first dance action...







told you guys...big OU fans...






:)
aric + casey

joe + melanie | wedding teaser

*sigh*
that's about all i have to say at this moment about joe, melanie, and their beautiful wedding. i'm sure i'll find more words by the time the full post is ready-but for now...
enjoy a couple lovely teasers of their wedding day portraits.
laugh a little today, and go give your loved ones a hug and kiss... it's just one of those days...
:)
aric + casey

tina + kevin | engagement

he said she blew him off. she said he had a girlfriend....whatever the reason-the first time these two met wasn't going to be the last. two years later, they met again...and the rest is history. simple as that. call it fate. call it destiny. they were meant to be together, and it's obvious for anyone to see. whether it's the way he makes her laugh, or the look she gets on her face when he draws her near- their interaction reflects pure and utter adoration for one another-and it was simply breathtaking to witness on the other side of our cameras!
aric and i had the best time hanging out with these two! so much so, we ended up making a double date out of our outing and took them to aric's favorite restaurant Dion's for the very first time! kevin is even an accountant so he gave us all sorts of good information about our taxes! ;)
enjoy some of our favorites from their session!
:)
aric + casey