When I watched this inspiring video, I knew I had to share it with all of my wonderful mommas. We all know I’m a sap, but if you’re anything like me, you may want to have a tissue ready. So, here’s a little something to inspire all you beautiful ladies that inspire me every day. Thank you.
Peace, love, and xoxo,
Cilla
Today, internet world, I received the best Valentine’s Day gift ever. Some of you probably don’t know, but my wonderful husband is quite the talented writer. One of the things that caused me to fall in love with him was reading his beautiful short stories. Everytime I read his writing, I fall deeper. He hasn’t creatively written in a while. Just the fun history papers about Russia for his most recent masters class. When we talk about it he says it’s because he’s happy. Apparently most stories have to have conflict 
I’ve always wanted him to write a story about us. I didn’t ever push it, but I would mention it sometimes when we would talk about his writing. So, today, I receive an email saying my gift isn’t finished, but he wanted me to know what it was. I instantly started crying when I saw an attachement that read “Our Story”. I was instantly brought back to the first day we met, which was also the first day Bret said he loved me. Of course, he was just flirting then, but little did he know that a few short months later he would be in love with me and I with him. It wasn’t love at first sight. I had a boyfriend at the time and saw Bret as a funny coworker. That all changed the first time we had a conversation. I have loved him ever sense. When we finally started “talking”, we had many long conversations and I fell deeper with each. I had been hurt many times and didn’t fully trust myself. I knew that it felt like I was falling, but refused to say anything. I was so shocked when Bret was the first one to say it after we had only been dating for a couple weeks. He said he was so scared because normally he doesn’t feel like this so soon, but that maybe this was what he had been waiting for. Maybe this was the bells and whistles. Then he said he was falling in love with me. I didn’t say anything right away, I was soaking it all in. A few short minutes later he said he was in love with me. My life hasn’t been the same since. Everything hasn’t been perfect. We have had our bumps, our fights, our challenges. We are, after all, man and woman. We may never fully understand each other. We are opposites in so many ways. I believe in fairy tales and soul mates, he believes in choices. I am more quiet and HATE speaking to groups, he is loud and is as brilliant a speaker as he is writer. I am all over the place with everything and he is a little OCD. As opposite as we are, we are also more alike than most know. We have the same goals and desires in life. We both love being at home and enjoy having a small group of best friends, but a large group of good friends. As much as we both love to be home, we also love to go out with that group of good friends occasionally and entertaining when we can. With all of our opposites, we compliment each other and are…perfect…in an imperfect way. Neither of us could ever be with someone just like ourselves. That just wouldn’t work. We are just the perfect amount of opposite. As unromantic and anti-fairytale as “choices” may sound, it is actually very romantic. He chooses to love me every day. I am the lucky lady who he has chosen to love, laugh, fight, cry, struggle, dance, cuddle…and just live life with. He is the lucky man who my fairytale has chosen. See, through the years, my definition of fairytale may have changed, but my belief in them never has. Most fairytales, the best ones, aren’t the ones you would often read to children, but the ones that are like life, you know…the perfectly imperfect ones. It is our fairytale, with the anti-fairytale prince and the princess with the wrinkles instead of the perfect skin, the frizzy hair, the sweat pants, and hair in a ponytail constantly.
Now…that I’ve rambled on and on, here’s a little storyboard for you. One of my all time favorite memories Bret and I have together was back when we lived in our apartment. It was the first snow we had in the apartment and I’ve always loved snow (when I don’t have to drive in it) and Bret hates it But he has always loved my child-like excitement over little things like snow, rainbows, and lightning bugs. So, when I had the bright idea to bundle up and walk a block away, at night, in the fresh snow, to our friends house, he happily went along with me. A couple weeks ago, when he had a snow day, we decided to relive a very fond memory and bundle up and take a walk to McDonalds and Red Box to eat and rent a movie. Although it wasn’t at night, and it was much colder than I remember it being that first time, it has quickly been filed into my “favorite memories” drawer. It was perfect. Definitely my favorite McDonalds trip ever. We sat and talked for over an hour about everything. Dear internet world…my heart is happy and my heart is full.
And for all of you…heres my Happy Valentines! Thank you and hope your heart is full today.
I have tons of sessions to post and will be soon. April was a CRAZY month for me. Along with all the sessions, I’ve also been adding on some beautiful packaging and making some changes to my boutique products, as well as a couple of my prints. I’m so excited to show you beautiful pictures of all my new products, but I’m waiting until I have EVERYTHING. I’m so close to having everything *perfect*…well, at least perfect to me THE best products out there. THE best printing company. THE BEST OF THE BEST OF EVERYTHING. I’ve searched high and low and can’t wait to show you what I’ve found!
So, no pictures for now, but I wanted to show you this movie trailer I saw on another photographer’s blog. I just loved it and thought I’d share I’m a sap for movies about love
What a sweet couple. I don’t know how many times throughout their big day I just stopped and sighed while my heart melted away. They are just so in love and so passionate about each other. I found myself reliving it when I started going through and editing the pictures. Just the way they look at each other. I love it! I’m so happy for these two. J & L are truly a beautiful couple. And L was so great to work with through out this whole process. I know they are going to have a very long and happy life together!
To start, a few of the details….don’t you love this ring!?!
Then a few of L getting ready. Her make-up was done by the fabulous Hilary. Make sure to check out her blog and read all the beauty tips I can’t wait for my make-over!
And can you believe the eyelashes on L?! This is WITHOUT mascara!
A few shots before the big event!
And maybe my favorite of all….
Now for the big event….J waiting for his beautiful bride
Yes…yes…he picked her up and dipped her for the big kiss!
See what I mean?
There was some hard core dancing at this reception. I loved it! This family definitely has the moves.
Wow! I don’t know which is better, the jump or the face the groomsman to the left is making
Yes…J has got the moves!
He picked her up and was swinging her around Oh this makes me happy.
Exhaustian at the end of a very beautiful day…
Well hello strangers! I know…I have been a very bad blogger! Well, that’s all going to change I have been very busy trying to tie up all my loose ends before the busy season. Beginning in the spring and pretty much rest of the year, things get a little crazy. I have been getting all of my “ducks in a row” and making sure I’m running things the way I want to. I have most recently revamped all my wording and tied everything together on my website. This beautiful blog is now the home page of my website. My old website is simply my galleries now. If you’re reading this through email, please make sure to come over and check everything out. Comment and let me know what you think! If you’re not reading this through email, make sure to subscribe so you can receive updates through email There are lots of things happening right now that I’m SO excited about. I will post about them later, but for now I’ll just give you the hint that something “HAUTE” is going on
Okay…onto the good stuff! I have several blogs to post today to try and “catch-up”…so my wording will be a little short. Each entry will be full of beautiful pictures and less of my rambling I know…you’re so disappointed 
This was the beautiful wedding of Brittany Broadus and JR Towles….now Mr. & Mrs. JR Towles. Some of you may recognize the name…JR is a VERY talented baseball player. He use to play for the Lexington Legends until he moved up into the MAJOR Leagues and now plays for the Houston Astros! Let me just say this young gorgeous couple have very exciting lives! They are always traveling with baseball, and when they’re not traveling, they are in their fabulous new home!
Well…I did promise I wasn’t going to ramble this time didn’t I? Okay….onto the pictures! Here are a few “getting ready” shots…always my favorite!
This dress was amazing and HAD to way more than Brittany! I can’t wait to do the bridal session and get tons more of amazing shots of Brittany in her dress!
She’s such a beautiful bride.
Okay…are these not the greatest boots ever!?! Go #46!
And so much fun!
I know not everyone is a fan of the texture…but I just love it! Don’t worry…they get copies in color too
A couple from the short and sweet ceremony…
And their firework exit….
The first dance. I have to ramble again….I LOVE LOVE LOVE the way JR holds her. She’s so tiny and he’s so tall. He just scoops her in. They are such a sweet couple.
Another note before the reception pictures….With every wedding, there’s always a part that I love the most (photography wise). Sometimes it’s while the bride is getting ready, sometimes it’s when they have a few minutes alone, but for me, their reception was the best! I loved it. It was a blast! KY and Texas people really know how to party! Plus there were SO many fun photo opportunities….from the sweet first dances…to JR’s Mom giving them a special message….to the very fun music and dancing…to the pure craziness I loved every minute of it no matter how tired my feet were
I always love the father-daughter dances, but this one seemed extra special.
The entire wedding party was a blast to be around….especially by the end of the night. By that time I had forgiven all the guys for telling me their names were “Jim-Bob”, “Frank”, and God only knows what else I will so believe anything someone tells me! Good thing I’m bad with names anyway
I do have to give a special shout-out to the best man. At one point while I was taking pictures of everyone else dancing, I think he felt sorry for me and tried to get me join in. I think I may thrown a little hip swinging in there. Yes…I just called dancing “hip swinging”.
LOVE THIS….told you they were all fun! The second one cracks me up! I really don’t think he wanted it….
At one point in the night, someone came up to me and told me to keep an eye out for the guy in the next pictures. I’m glad I did! You’ll see LOVE the second one!
I immediately loved the next picture….
Congrats JR & Brittany! Thank you for sharing your oh so special day with me!!! xoxoxo
