6 of Four

Yesterday was our niece Caroline’s 6th Birthday. We have a wedding today and will not be able to be at her party. So we wanted to make her actual birthday special. She started kindergarten this year and we knew she would be getting off the bus at 3 pm. We raced with all of our errands that we had yesterday and made it to the Flowers’ home by 2:47, whew! Then we walked to the front of their neighborhood and waited for the bus to arrive. The all too familiar sound of the large diesel engine roaring came over the hill and we saw the yellow school bus heading towards us. Then the stop sign was pushed out, and the accordion doors opened with a snap. Then from across the road came the most adorable rosy-cheeked little angel. Caroline turned the corner as she saw us. I saw her eyes light up and I don’t know that I have a more precious memory of her. Without a care in the world of the other kids on the bus she ran towards us with arms out stretched and pure delight on her face. I scooped her up and held on to her with all of my life. As she has started school she seems so much older and we can have conversations and she can read books and big words to us everywhere she goes. This moment was different. She seemed to be three again and showed us that we had made her day and all she wanted was to be held in our arms. It truly melted my heart and I never want to forget the pure genuine abandon that she ran to us with. I hope to approach life in this same way. We love you Caroline, Happy Birthday.

These pictures were from her birthday dinner last night.

Last Friday night the Cathy family from Chick-fil-A held a movie premier at the Fox for the movie Fireproof that will be out at the end of next month. They are very focused on marriage and helping to decrease the divorce rate. This movie focuses on that and they wanted to share it with the community and then have those people take their friends on September 26th. Kirk Cameron stars in the movie and he was there as well. It was a beautiful evening starting off with a V.I.P. reception and then the showing followed. Afterwards there were some speeches and it was truly an encouraging evening. We were extremely thankful to Ruth and Adam for coming and helping us out. There were over 4,000 people in attendance, so needless to say we needed a few more bodies with cameras.

Along with a wide asortment of delicious Chick-fil-A food, Affairs to Remember were on hand to add their touch to the event.

Truett Cathy is a man that has set a lot of examples in many ways. He and his wife Jeanette will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this year.

Bubba Cathy, Truett’s middle child shared with the group how important it is to go out on September 26th to support the movie.

Kirk shared stories of the making of the movie and of his marriage for 17 years.

I think I was glued to the Olympics more this year than ever before. I love the watching the swimming, diving and gymnastics. This year seemed to completely take the event to an entire new level and one that I doubt that many other countries will be able to compete with ever again. The fact that China spent an estimated 40 Billion dollars on this event as a whole blows my mind. This was not just the Olympics to them. It was transforming our vision of China and their future. They were investing into their country.

As a photographer we were constantly watching the other photographers and their coverage of the games. What an experience it would have been. The amount of World Records alone that happened not to mention the opening and closing ceremonies. I saw someone post a link of Vincent Laforet’s images from the games. They are truly amazing and I admired the unique way in which he captured the games. I thought I would put up two of my favorite diving images. I hope you enjoyed this world event as much as we did.

Photograph by Vincent Laforet for NEWSWEEK

Photograph by Vincent Laforet for NEWSWEEK

Nothing stirs my heart with excitement like a handwritten letter. The romance and timelessness that it holds will always cause my pulse to speed just a bit. It draws to me now more than ever in this age of email, text, twitters and constant feeding of information. Just as I adore letters that my grandparents wrote, I feel that our children will desire that same intimate connection to us. This thought reminded me today that I need to take time to write to my family and my husband. As I want my life and relationships to be closely documented in picture as well as in the written word. I encourage you to slow your step and your breath. Take your paper and fine pens and write to those you love. Remember it is a legacy you leave in your words as well.

Whitney and Mark thought of the perfect location for their engagement session. It was in Sandersville, Georgia and about two and a half hours from down town. We were not quite sure what they had in mind, but trusted that it must be something amazing. It was perfect and we are so glad they thought of it. They will be getting married in September and we are looking forward to their wedding in the Mountains.