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I was there when they met. I had just moved to Dallas and went to visit Lauren at her seminary, Dallas Theological. That morning had been crazy because she ran out of gas on the highway…at 730am…in DALLAS! That equals not good, Internet. I managed to get a can of gas and bring it to her…ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. A crazy first introduction to the joys of Dallas traffic but it was a memory. The memories of the day didn’t stop there though. No, we were able to make it to class a little late and we ran in to some of her friends. She had never met Devin, but some of her friends made sure to introduce them…for ulterior motives. Little did we know that Devin’s friends had picked Lauren out as the ‘perfect girl’ for him and they had schemed the whole thing for the two of them to meet. As soon as the introductions were done, it was passed around that there was a group going to Billy Bob’s (a famous country dance hall) in Fort Worth that night and that we should come. We headed to her house, debated going or not, neither of us feeling that up to it, but finally decided we were both new to the area and needed to make friends. So, off we went. I’m not sure Lauren has made very many life-altering decisions like that one…cause well, the rest was history. All night Devin looked for opportunities to talk to her and gain her attention and gain her attention he did. He asked her out on the ride home, which is a funny story in and of itself but I’ll spare her the public embarrassment…you’re welcome, Lauren.
I ‘just happened’ to be there when he proposed and what a glorious day that was! Devin asked her to marry him in the most beautiful gazebo last summer and she said yes without hesitation. I may have looked like a total creeper hiding behind the bushes but well…I’m used to looking ridiculous to capture special moments!
And I was also there when they committed their lives to one another before their friends, family and most importantly, before their ultimate love, Jesus Christ. Lauren and Devin allowed me the great honor of photographing their rehearsal dinner before their spring wedding in Montgomery, Alabama. While I love to shoot weddings, I cannot express how much I love shooting rehearsal dinners. It is the time during a wedding celebration where the bride and groom’s closest friends and family get to share stories, enjoy laughter and brag on the people standing before them. Lauren and Devin’s friends and family didn’t disappoint as countless numbers of them stood up and celebrated the lives of two wonderful people. I found myself tearing up behind the camera as toasts were given in honor of their character, their love for people, their selflessness and their unwavering faith. It was a night of sweet tears, joyous laughter and happy celebration!
Lauren and Devin, separately, you are two VERY special people. I can only imagine how much more wonderful the world will be because of your union. I’m so very glad that I’ve been able to witness such a beautiful relationship…from the very beginning. Thanks for letting me be part of such a special weekend!
Happy Friday!
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Praying… before anything else.
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Lauren spent several summers at Kanakuk Kamps in Missouri and several people she had worked alongside traveled the long distances to celebrate with her. Including my own preggo sister!
Mylee is a sweet friend of Lauren’s and was her flower girl. And yes…I genuinely mean friend. I love this shot of the two of them.
This sweet bridesmaid had her child just a few weeks before the wedding and still made the trip. What a trooper!
Even though it wasn’t the real deal, these are two of my favorite shots from the night!
They had their dinner at this wonderful little restaurant. It was tucked away in the country and used to be a little one room schoolhouse.
I LOVED the details they had done. So cute and so fitting with the Alabama/Southern theme.
Are these not the cutest little signs?!?!
Praying before dinner with their family patriarchs next to them.
Toasts!
These are Devin’s two scheming friends that made it all happen. I believe they are retelling the story here…hence the laughter below.
Lauren’s best friends from college getting to share about how special she is in their lives. Yeah, this is probably when the tears behind my camera began to flow.
Getting to speak to his bride-to-be and tell her how excited he is to marry her. Favorite moment.
I’ll close with this one from the wedding…Lauren, you are truly a beautiful woman, inside and out. You radiate the love of Christ and because of that, you love others well. Devin is a blessed man! Even though I see you more outside of our city than in it, I, like so many others, am blessed by every moment in your sweet presence. Oh…and here’s to rockin’ red lipstick!