SHAUN + JESSICA | Anniversary Session

So spring came in like a whirlwind for me and wedding and portrait season began a full pace.  Since I was trying to finish up the school year with my kiddos while handling the onset of sessions, my blog posts were the unfortunate back-burner occupants.  So as I try to fit in current jobs on the blog in the next few weeks, I will also be squeezing in some sessions that have been left out for the time being.

I have been wanting to post this session since I shot it.  I don’t really even know where to start with these two.  I shot Shaun & Jessica’s wedding 10 years ago in April.  I remember their day vividly because I was still a newbie in the wedding world, and they had my first rainy day wedding.  It totally didn’t matter because the two of them were just so amazing and so in love and all smiles all day.  The rain even allowed us to get some fun umbrella shots and all.  This wedding was truly unforgettable to me.  So when their 10year anniversary hit this year, Shaun had the brilliant idea of doing an anniversary shoot.  He totally surprised Jessica with a hair and make up appointment, and then surprised her with meeting me for a little shoot around downtown Lebanon.  The couple has 2 kids, but Shaun wanted to make this shoot just about them, which I thought made it that much sweeter.  Nobody ever does a shoot like this without their kids, and now that I’ve done this with them, I highly recommend doing at least a little something for just the two of you!

But that’s not all that’s special about this couple.  About 2ish years ago, unexpectedly, Jessica suffered a massive stroke.  It left her unable to move, speak, etc.     They did not think she’d walk again.  There was even a chance she wouldn’t be able to feed herself or take care of herself.   Shaun and Jessica’s whole world flipped upside down when this happened. With extensive therapy and a lot of prayer, Jessica is miraculously doing AMAZINGLY WELL. She has had to relearn to speak, read, write, walk, drive, etc. So when I saw her get out of the car and walk over to me and smile, I had to do everything in my power to not cry.  She is literally a walking miracle.  And then to watch Shaun care for her throughout the session – that is marriage.  Right there.  I’ve been staying up to date with her website that outlines her progress, but to see her and Shaun in person, walking this road together, well, that’s just not something you get to witness very often.  In sickness and in health, right?  I know this is not what either of them signed up for in life, but they are carrying their burden with joy and gladness.  There is still some recovery to go, but I have no doubt they will tackle each obstacle with gladness.  Shaun – you are one amazing man, whose love for his wife should be seen and emulated by the world.  Jessica – your strength, determination, and courage has formed you into one beautiful woman who will forever be a model of what real joy looks like.  Thank you, THANK YOU, for letting me do this session for you!!

They used this very same Chevelle in their wedding pictures 10 years ago.  It’s only fitting they used it in this session!