Happy Valentine's Day

I love that my mom and dad don't think I'm too old for a heart-shaped box of Valentine chocolates.  :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

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Barns at Wolf Trap Wedding: Megan + Mike

Operation Indecent Proposal was carried out with military precision. Megan flew in to visit Mike at the Naval Justice School in Rhode Island. He told her they were to have lunch with the General, and all day long his friends mentioned the occasion in passing. But she had no idea they were Mike’s accomplices; there was no lunch with the General.

Megan dressed up and they hit the road in the afternoon. Mike kept checking the time because he was worried that traffic would put them behind schedule. His friends were already busy at the 40 Steps of Newport’s Cliff Walk, preparing for them to arrive. They cleared the touristy steps of people, even shooing away old ladies enjoying their leisurely afternoon.

Mike told Megan they were waiting for his friends, and led her down the steps to take in the ocean view. But rather than feeling romantic, Megan was cranky. She had skipped dinner the night before because she was busy packing, and that morning they didn’t have time for breakfast. Now late afternoon and nearly 24 hours since her last meal, she was famished, and not in the mood to wait much longer. But her frown was washed away as they reached the bottom of the 40 Steps and she turned to see a Carl Sandburg poem penned across the steps’ faces. At that moment she realized what was happening, and her face lit up in understanding. As Mike proposed, his friends rose from their hiding places amongst the cliffs and cheered them on. Even the old ladies had stayed to watch, clapping and smiling at the sight of young love.

Megan and Mike, I can’t begin to tell you how much I adore you both. I love the way you make each other laugh and smile, and I loved seeing the love shared with all of your family and friends. Thank you for the honor of allowing me to capture your special day - I can’t stop gushing about how wonderful you both are!

Special thanks also goes to Leah Hewitt for 2nd shooting with me that day.  Leah, it's such a pleasure to work with you!

Megan, you have the most sincere, beautiful smile!

Megan lost her dad to cancer 6 years ago, but he was still with her as she walked down the aisle.

Megan, I have never seen anyone handle 25-degree weather with as much poise and grace as you!

Karen Berl of RSVP Events did a wonderful job of keeping the day flowing smoothly, and she also created the beautiful decor:

Mike fell in love with the band Drivetrain when he was in law school, and he absolutely HAD to have them for their wedding day.  The Barns at Wolf Trap turned out to be the perfect venue to accommodate them.

To see more of Megan and Mike's wedding photos, CLICK HERE for a slideshow!

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We Were President and First Lady

It was sudden, and swept through the area with a fierceness.  As I came home yesterday, I drove through rain, sleet, hail and snow.  All in a matter of 20 minutes.  The only thing missing were cats and dogs.  And a rainbow of Skittles.  As the driving, wet snow grew with intensity, the electricity in our house started to flicker.  And I braced myself for a repeat of last year.  Despite living in a new neighborhood with buried lines, our power still went out.  Again.

So we lit candles and huddled in the family room, deprived of modern technology - laptops/computer, TV and radio.  We were George and Martha Washington, eating dinner and reading by the candlelight...minus the wigs (thank goodness).  But the novelty wore off after an hour, and I wanted my modern day conveniences back (American Idol was on!!). 

At 5:30 a.m., about 11 hours since the outage, we were up and out from under the covers, and it was a chilly 55 degrees in the house.  So the gas fireplace was lit, and I huddled nearby w/ a book and reading light while Chris was off to work.  At 9:45, when electricity finally powered back up like a wakening carousel, I immediately put on a pot of coffee and sighed happiness.  The drip of the coffee maker never sounded so good!  So today I raise my cup of joe to electricity.  And heat.  And Martha and George because I'm too much of a wuss to live that way.

I also found it all too fitting to drink from my Philadelphia "We The People" mug this morning.  Hear, hear!

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My 2010 Favorites

As I start the new year, I love looking back at 2010 and reminiscing about all of the special moments and occassions that I have been blessed enough to capture and be a part of.  Last year was an amazing year, but I believe 2011 will blow it out of the water!

A few of my favorite images from 2010...

Nairi's Bridal Tea:

John & Grace's Wedding:

Jared & Katie's Naval Academy Wedding:

Shelley & David's Northern Virginia Wedding:

Pam & Justin's Ceresville Mansion Wedding:

Justin & Elisha's Annapolis Wedding:

Matt & Meegan's Hollin Hall Wedding:

Tim & Kristi's Mount Vernon and Rock Creek Park Engagement:

Jeremy & Maria's Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Engagement:

Lauren & Justin's Annapolis Wedding:

Thank you to those of you who follow my blog; I would not be here without you all!  I'm so excited to see what 2011 will bring, and to have you along with me on the journey! Pin It

Annapolis, MD Wedding: Justin + Lauren

I closed out the 2010 wedding season with my sweet friend Melissa Manzione in Annapolis, MD.  Lauren and Justin were the absolute best bride and groom to share the day with.  Lauren's smile never faltered, even as she read a sweet note from her groom just before the ceremony, bringing tears to hear eyes.  And though her smiles were for different reasons - excitement, happiness, and true joy - they all stemmed from one place......love. 

And Justin?  The sweet way he looked at Lauren all day long made me know just how much he cherishes and adores her.  There is nothing more beautiful than two people in love, which means Lauren and Justin were the best looking couple in the world on their wedding day. 

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