Monday, January 17, 2011

Laura & Erik: Engagement

She would always ask, "Well, how do you really know?" And my response was constantly, "You will just know. I can't explain it, but you will just know." Laura, my sister, follows her heart without a second thought, and as a hopeless romantic, would dream of the day she would get engaged. She would call me up, worried, "Well, what if I don't know if I'm making the right decision? What if I marry the wrong guy?" And I would assure her, that she would know when it was the right person.

I'll never forget the day she called me and said she met the person that was going to be her future husband. We both laughed, because at that point, she had been admiring Erik from afar and had only talked to him once. With blushing cheeks and nervous chatter, their one conversation was not the most romantic of exchanges, but both Erik and Laura felt something they had never felt before.

Over the course of a few months, they got to know each other and fell in love. I had never heard Laura talk about someone the way she talked about Erik. She was smitten and adored his goofy sense of humor and rosy cheeks. She loved that they both had the same outlook on life, goals for their future, and passion for God. Erik added fuel to her fire for life and showed her what it was to love and be loved.

Growing up, we loved The Little Mermaid, so it was appropriate that my nickname for Erik soon became "Prince Erik". After all, I had always told Laura that it would take someone really special and prince-like to not only keep her interest, but also be her perfect match.

The day Erik proposed to Laura, she called me and said, "Nicole, you were right. There is no doubt. I just know that he's the one." And over Christmas, as I watched my sister try on wedding dresses, I thought that she looked like a princess...the perfect compliment to her long-awaited prince.

Laura and Erik, I couldn't be more happy for you two. I not only get to see my sister the happiest she has ever been, but I also get a brother. Your love and devotion for each other is beautiful and I'm so excited that you will be spending the rest of your lives together.

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Sunday, January 9, 2011

Major: Newborn Session

This New Year's day was spent not only shooting my first session of the year, but also photographing my first red-headed newborn! Little baby Major just melted my heart and he was so sleepy and perfect for the whole shoot. What a great way to start 2011!

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