When we think about our journey as entrepreneurs, we realize that it really started with our love for each other first. The primary reason we wanted to work for ourselves, was so that we could spend more time together! The ‘escaping’ away to work just wasn’t us. We love spending time together, and we protect it with everything we have.
So to truly start documenting our entrepreneurial journey, we thought it was best to start at the very beginning. The beginning of us.
I was a sophomore in high school and Erica and I first met. She was sweet and quiet…and completely unimpressed with me. I didn’t mind, though. Even back then, I could tell she’d be worth the effort.
As luck would have it, our families attended the same church and quickly became close friends. Growing up, we went on mission trips and family vacations together, becoming the best of friends ourselves. As I got to know Erica better and saw the real beauty in her up close, puppy love turned into true love.
It would be three years before I could convince her to consider dating me. I tried everything I could think of to win her heart. I charmed…I wooed…I made her presents and made her laugh. I brought her flowers and candies and hung on her every word.
In the end though, what finally won her over was the brave determination of a single, ambitious…pinky finger. As we sat in a movie theater with our friends, that little finger stealthily marched through the darkness to find her hand and link up with it. I waited to see if she’d pull away…but she didn’t! We were holding pinkies! Erica was my girlfriend! It was the happiest moment of my young life.
At 16, I was hardly ready to start dating and I certainly wasn’t ready for a boyfriend. I knew that Jon liked me, but a girl’s first boyfriend is a big deal and I wasn’t going to take that step lightly!
Besides, I had ambition. I had my heart set on attending Southwestern Assemblies of God University and I was determined not to let anything distract me from achieving that goal.
As we sat in the theater with our friends and I saw that little finger moving closer and closer to my hand, I knew I had to make a decision. I felt his finger curl around my own, felt my heart beat a little faster, and I made my choice. After the movie, I said three words to Jon that I had never said to another boy…”Maybe. We’ll see.”
And boy did I see! When I’d get out of work, I’d see flowers or Laffy Taffy candy waiting on the windshield of my car. I saw patience and comfort in the way he listened when I had a bad day at work, and pure happiness for me when I got to study photography classes in school. I saw friendship and genuine concern in the way he encouraged me to pursue my goals.
I saw what it meant to truly care for another person’s happiness as much as your own.
Erica is two years younger than I am. After a year of dating her, it was time for me to go off to college. Without knowing that Erica had already chosen a school, I applied to none other than Southwestern Assemblies of God University!
But I couldn’t leave for school without her knowing how I truly felt. Erica and I have always been creative people, and I knew exactly how I wanted to say what I needed her to know.
I knew that Jon was a romantic. After all, he’d shown me time and again. But nothing could prepare me for the moment when he picked up his guitar and nervously said “I wrote this for you.” He sang me my very own song, asking me to be his valentine!
Writing a song for a girl can be hard to top, but I knew I had to try. One of the best things about Erica is her appreciation for small details. The license plate on my first car started with the word “BAM” and it was one of those things that just made her laugh every time she saw it. While I was away at college, I had to have it replaced, so of course I saw an opportunity for romance!
When Jon told me that he’d sent me a package, I had no idea what to expect. Imagine my surprise when I tore the box open to find his old license plate, a pair of cozy socks (my favorite thing!), and a love letter…written in code. Thanks to Jon, I now consider myself fluent in Wingdings.
By the time Erica started Southwestern Assemblies of God University, I had won her over completely with my expert-level romantic genius. After two unbelievably happy years in college together, it was time to propose.
Every couple’s wedding day is unique. Every wedding is special. Jon went the extra mile to make sure I would never forget ours. When I got to the altar with my father and the pastor went into a prayer, I tried my best to pay attention but I knew something else was happening around me.
I signaled to my groomsmen that it was time and did my best to keep her focused on the pastor, but it’s not easy to surprise Erica. When they brought me my guitar and a microphone, she had a look on her face that said “I should have known!”
Jon had written me a song, just like he did when I was in high school. Back when the best I could offer was “Maybe. We’ll see.” This time, after he finished and we all dried our eyes, my father gave me away and I said “I do.”
We’ve come a long way since then. Laffy Taffy’s are now nightly ice cream cones. Movies with friends are now Friday night dates on the couch with our son, Brody, and our daughter, Paislee. Instead of running to classes, we get to run after two beautiful, funny, creative kids.
Together, we went from photographing family functions to building our own family and our own business, where we have the honor of capturing the “moments of a lifetime” for our wonderful clients.
Our love of romance and appreciation for the details that make everyone’s story unique is what makes our job a passion for us. Our greatest joy in life is sharing in love; with each other, with our children, with our families, and with our clients. There are few days in a lifetime as special as the day of your wedding, and it’s important to share the experience with people who see the beauty in your story and the significance of every pinky-sized detail.
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