Sunil, I have known you for 7.3 years. We first met at Fourth Baptist, the church my family moved to when I was 13 years old. I was just finishing 7th grade, and you were heading into your senior in high school. It  seemed as though we were ages apart - 4 years is a huge gap when I was 13 and you were 17. But for some reason, I was completely drawn to you. The way you loved people fascinated me. The way you pursued Christ intimidated me. I couldn't get you off my mind.

Fast forward 5 years. October 13, 2010. You're done with college, I'm done with high school. Even though you had always treated me as a little sister... something changed. I wasn't your little sister anymore, I was your close friend. Your equal. You sought out my opinion, listened to my heart, and admired my skills as a new business woman. I made you waffles (no, I ruined you waffles), introduced you to Harp and Bowl (and forever scarred your Baptist brain!), texted you happy birthday at 12:01 am and secretly prayed that you would notice me. That you'd be drawn to me. That maybe somehow there'd be a chance that you couldn't get me off your mind.

Fast forward another year. October 13, 2011. We were hopefully in love (I don't believe in hopeless love). I was still living in Minnesota but God had called you to Kansas to grow, stretch, and change you. We had been dating for 10 months, but hadn't seen each other in 2. It was the darkest, most discouraging and most challenging period of our entire relationship to date. You showed up in my basement that night, surprising me a day earlier than we planned. A ring on my finger, a kiss on my lips, and a date set for our future. A date I couldn't get off my mind.

Today is October 13, 2012. It's your birthday again. Today at 4:45 pm we'll have been married for 6 months and 26 days, and I can't imagine life without you. No one told me how amazing life would be when I was married to my best friend... You show me Christ each and every day, and I can't wait to grow old with you.

Thank you for teaching me about grace.

Happy birthday. I love you.

PS. You've been gone since yesterday, and you don't get back until tonight. I can't get you off my mind. Please be safe. :)

26 signs you may be a photogenic family.  

1. Your kids run from the camera.

2. You look at your children - not through them.

3. Little boys that goof off are hugged into submission.

4. Color makes no difference.

5. Smiles are a natural part of faces.

6. You're not afraid of genuine (come ON - I dare you to show me kids that don't act like this....).

7. You still laugh together.

8. You make beautiful babies.

9. Your boys can hold their own.

10. Your kids don't always match (as in like matchy matchy).

11. You still giggle when you kiss.

12. Their spirits aren't crushed, but cherished.

13. There's always one good one.

14. Momma is always the finish line to any race.

15. You drive a much loved suburban.

16. You have compassion on the orphans.

17. Your kids love to read.

18. You homeschool (YAY for homeschoolers!).

19. Your kids use their imaginations.

20. An apple a day...

21. Your boy is treated like the boy that he is...

22. Hand sanitizer is for wussies.

23. Your children are real people. With souls and personalities and independence.

24. Every other blue moon... your children play together nicely.

25. Your heart is full.

26. And you're completely content just seeing her smile at you.

You can identify with one? Your family must be photogenic! Let's do photos right away... :)

To see all the previous sessions I've done for this family, click  here and here and here and oh my I love them so much.