I have known this family for a long time. Kelli and I went to high school together (I told you it was a long time!), and the last time that we did a family portrait session with them, each of the three older boys was about 12 inches shorter and definitely not as "cool" as they are now. Bella and Aiden, the younger kids, have grown so much too!

My favorite thing about family portrait sessions is watching the kids grow and change and come into their own personality. There is no shortage of great personality in these pictures, that's for sure, and absolutely no one is shy. I love that!

Here's to many more family sessions with them!

Chelsea has always been one the quietest and shiest people I know so when her mom, my first cousin, called me to photographer her small courthouse wedding, I thought two things. First, OF COURSE! Second, "Wait, she's old enough to get MARRIED?!" In my mind, she's still ten years old and the mot well-behaved kid at Grandma's Thanksgiving dinner.

But yes, she is a successful nurse and now, a WIFE. She and Alan were married on a Friday afternoon in front of the sweetest and most genuine judge in Topeka. I know at least four of us were crying almost the entire ceremony. Her mom, his mom, Chelsea, and me.

It never ceases to amaze the power and intensity of those words and vows when a couple recites them to each other.  They are strong words to say aloud and then be accountable for. Gets me every time.

Chelsea and Alan have a happy future; it's apparent in the way they look at each other. And really, that's all anyone can ask for. 

Sheri and I have become the "team" of women in the quality department at our day job. It's us two and a bunch of guys.

I have watched her date a couple of guys who were at first, nice, then disastrously bad. Then she met Neil.

I won't go too much into their love story because they are both very private people, but let me just say that if you have ever wanted to watch a romantic comedy play out in front of you, their story is it. Serendipitous and sweet and nerve-wracking to watch, too.  They worked for this relationship in ways that most couples don't have to. They have each taken chances and traveled thousands of miles to get to where they are.

And now they are married.

Of course, Kansas decided to trick us with its weather on their wedding day. We expected cool but mild temperatures. What we got was cold and windy! Sheri was a champ though. Everyone was.

The ceremony was not too long, but not too short and the details were simply perfect.