Justin & Alyssa -Our Family-

Justin and my husband Matt were in the same Battalion for years. They have had deployments together and have become good friends. Good friends are hard to find. There are ones that are there to come to your cookout and say hi every once in a while then there are friends that are "family".  Ones that if your car breaks down they would be there in a heartbeat . I remember when Justin told me about Alyssa. Oh he was so in love with her. I hadn't even seen them around each other but I could just tell by the smile Justin had talking about her and how great she was. Alyssa fit  perfectly in the the rest of our "crazy military" family. She tells it like it is. Which is hard quality to find in people. You can't be around her for more than five minutes without laughing.  I was always waiting around for Justin to propose! I would pick on him asking.."Umm..When are you going to pop the question?" I remember the day that Matt came home and told me that Justin was going to propose to Alyssa during their post deployment leave. I was sooo excited! I wanted to text her but of course Justin & Matt would have killed me if I would have ruined the surprise. Oh the suspense was killing  me then....I got the text!! I was so happy for them! I love being married, I personally think it is the best thing in the world. Having someone to always talk to and share your life with. I  knew that Justin & Alyssa would get to have that too. Justin is head over heels for Alyssa. He is such a good man to her. He treats her like a man should treat a woman. I love seeing them together and the "love" they have for each other.  They are also so awesome to me! They have helped me so much through my husband's current deployment. They have "Sunday Night Dinner" and Justin comes and cuts my grass. I know that they would do anything for us and I hope they know that we would do anything for them. We are so blessed to know them and have them in our life and as a part of our "military family". I enjoyed getting to take their photos. When Alyssa asked me a while back I was more than excited to have the opportunity to capture their love on camera.
I love you guys! xoxo

Ducat Homecoming/Camp Lejeune

I enjoyed working with Aly. She was such a sweetheart and so head over heels for her man. I could even hear just over emails how excited she was. It made me smile so big when I would check my email and get her updates. I couldn't wait to be a part of her homecoming! I loved her countdown. She would say ___days & __ wake up. I loved it! Her husband came home on a bright & sunny afternoon. The sun was out alright. It was HOTT! Aly was so sweet by making sure that I kept hydrated. She was very concerned for me. I enjoyed talking to Aly and her husband's family as they wait patiently (well maybe not so patiently...I mean HE WAS COMING HOME!! ) They go to see my "happy dance" which they seemed to enjoy. As soon as I see the buses I do my "happy dance". I was soo excited!! Tears started coming from my eyes out of happiness then I saw some come from Aly's. It was time. The time she had been counting down for. The time that all the letters, phone calls and sleepless nights add up to. I couldn't wait to capture their first hug. Aly saw him & RAN! It was magical! If you have never been to a military homecoming it is pretty much one of the best events EVER. So I pretty much have one of the best jobs EVER.  It was such a pleasure working with the Ducats. Thank you Aly for letting me be a part of your special day. I am so glad your husband made it back to your arms safely. Here are some shots from that special day. You may cry so hope you have a tissue near by.

The Coldwells / Homecoming

Sam was one of my first friends here in Jacksonville. I met her while my husband was on his first deployment. ( We were actually dating not married then.) Sam was actually pregnant with Sophia at the time. She was so amazing to me. She took me to Matt's (my husband) first homecoming. She was with me as I got ready, and was   CRAZY! Thank you again Sam for putting up with me! Sam also was there as a witness when we got married (Yes..we first got married at the courthouse.) I was there when Sam had Sophia. So all in all we have been in  special moments of each others lives. So it wasn't any surprise that I would HAVE to do Sam & Joe's homecoming. There was NO DOUBT about it! I am so glad I did! After a LONG and ROUGH deployment, Sam was ready for Joe to be home! It seemed as though the moment was taking FOREVER and I wasn't even waiting for my husband but I could feel it to. I know the feeling..The feeling of being SO close , it (well they) are RIGHT THERE....But yet seems so far away or that you are having a dream in which you are praying someone doesn't pinch you out of. So..As soon as the buses pulled up & the boys started coming off. We were on the run to find JOE! I can remember Sam's face. Her face of just pure emotions. It was over finally. No more waiting for a 2 minute phone call or staying up wondering and worrying. I was overwhelmed with happiness that I got to capture that moment. So here are some photos from that day. I hope you enjoy.  Thank you again Sam!! Love you guys!