My heart caught in the back of my throat as I turned that corner to see him sitting there. Sitting upright, hooked up in every direction, so very much him and yet so unlike the presence of him that I was accustomed to. You see, even in just the few times we spent together, there is enough of him in her smile to know a thing or two about him. There is enough in that million-dollar smile of his own to know even more. To know the goodness in him and the capacity within to love and serve and care for my sister; that was enough for me from the very beginning, in the days when she began talking about him as just a really great friend. And now she talks, and sits, and comforts, and speaks up, and holds his hand, day in and day out, caring for him in a way it feels no one her age should ever have to dream of doing for someone they love so much.

Most of you know, by now, that seven weeks ago, life was altered drastically for my sister Cearra when her boyfriend Dennis experienced a traumatic brain injury as the result of a very serious fall while out of town for work, in Chicago. Since that day, she has been by his side – both in Chicago and now at home, in Baltimore – as he remains in a coma, though progressing day-by-day, both in little and big ways. You can read more about the journey thus far, here. He is fighting to live and to heal and he is in the company of so many people alongside him supporting him in that fight. Now, after several surgeries, a medical transport across states, and countless other unexpected and challenging experiences, Cearra has created a “Hope For Dennis” fund to help pool the resources of those who might be willing to contribute to his care. His transport back to Maryland was not covered by insurance and because this present journey is a long one, the cost of his care only continues to rise above the means there are to take care of them.

Cearra means the world to me, and he means the world to her, and I’d move mountains to make this all better.

For that reason, I am offering a FLASH SALE today, Wednesday, May 1, from 12:30PM-2:30PM with ALL proceeds going towards the Hope For Dennis fund. During this FLASH SALE, all Lifestyle Portrait Sessions will be $100 (Tennessee sales tax not included) and will come with the customary $50 Product Credit that all of my sessions include. With the Product Credit factored in, this is more than 65% savings from my normal Lifestyle Portrait Session fee. Clients may apply their Product Credit towards the purchase of their Session Collection, Canvases, or Storybooks, following their session. Prints are always available for purchase from your online gallery, following your session, as well.

To qualify for and claim your FLASH SALE session, simply e-mail me at kristine@kristineneeley.com between 12:30PM and 2:30PM (Central Time) with your full name and e-mail address, and I will send you an invoice for payment-in-full upon receipt. In order to receive this discount, you must pay the amount in full. Please note, session booking is subject, as always, to photographer availability and must take place within the calendar year. It is always advisable to contact me a few months in advance of when you’d like to book!

If you have any questions about Dennis or his circumstances, or about the fund, or about the FLASH SALE, please do not hesitate to contact me. And as always, you are more than welcome to give directly to the fund if a portrait session is not of interest to you. Or just pray. It has been so incredible to have the support and prayers of so many people for Dennis, for his family and for my sister; we’d never turn your prayers down. Thank you, all.

He watched her walk down that aisle, that long strip of green grass like a sea between the people they love and who love them most in the world. She was radiant, the sun to her back, the warm breeze in her face, and her adoring father at her side. If ever we could float, taking flight above the ground we walk on, it would be in moments like this. The ones where the distance between them shortened as their future took shape and form in the joining of hands, the repeating of vows, and the exchanging of rings. And a kiss. When all was said and done, they walked back down that sea-aisle together as husband and wife and then into the sunset, quite literally.

Life can give us fairytales, it’s true. In how we see and love and take in the world around us. This is Chris and Brooke’s.

From the outside looking in – through a viewfinder and into their lives, and the lives of their family and friends for just one day – there’s enough love to fill pages of a storybook and it was amazing to be a part of this turning of the page. This sublimely gorgeous, relaxing day filled with moments. It’s rare to find that combination of beauty and ease, and it’s evident that everyone who worked to make this day what it was – not to mention the personalities of those involved in the wedding itself – are to thank for that. So, thank you.

The sweet, sentimental touches of their alma mater’s colors in the event’s attire, decor, and details (V O L S GO VOLS GOOOOOO!!!) to the unmatched beauty of a setting like the Historic Carnton Plantation, it was the perfect blend of setting and space. Add to that the fun of the reception, itself – the dancing, the photo booth antics, and the rousing choruses of Old Crow Medicine Show’s “Wagon Wheel”, Billy Joel’s “Piano Man”, and of course, “Rocky Top” – it was a night to remember forever. And I should mention, that was definitely the most epic cake-cutting and feeding that I can recall since my own; and that’s something to be proud of!

Thank you Chris and Brooke, Lynn and Karon, all of your family and friends, and the cast of incredible vendors (all listed below!) involved for such a wonderful, memorable day.

PRE-REGISTER NOW to view Chris & Brooke’s full wedding gallery, once released!

Cake Artist: Becker’s Bakery
Caterer: Stroud’s Barbeque
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Carnton Plantation
DJ & Photo Booth Services: Cosmo Creations
Event Lighting: Nashville Event Lighting
Event Rentals: Music City Tents & Events
Floral Designer: Franklin Flower

So here’s the truth. When I gave myself permission to pick up my camera whenever I wanted to take photos of you in your second year of life – instead of once a month, like clockwork – and our little life together, I didn’t realize how little that would end up being. My slow season with work over the Christmas season and new year turned into wanting to just wrap myself up in our family of three, minding as little as possible with the computer and cumbersome technology as I could. Sometimes it’s just not the easiest and it feels like work, and for that very reason, I am so beyond grateful for the abilities a tiny little phone in my hand has to make up for the lack of facetime you’ve gotten lately with my big camera. Another reason I love Instragram and your very own #lifewithlilturkey hashtag, now full of 728 photos over the last 71 weeks.

But goodness, when I take the time, I am reminded how good it feels. Not necessarily better but at times, it feels, more permanent. And as these days seriously fly by, I feel myself clinging to remember all of it. Even now, I know, though, it’s significance is good in memory but I want to make the moment itself lasting by living in it, not just remembering it. To lay on the floor while you stack your blocks as if your life depended on it, a skill you’ve recently developed over the last couple of weeks as you spent the first few months you owned them waiting for us to build so you could knock down. Everything in time.

You turned one and it felt like the whole world shifted. And now you’re sixteen months (and a some change) and I just feel like I’m getting the hang of this new world. It took me a few weeks to wrap my mind around the concept that you were turning into more than just my baby. And this was in the middle of new big girl carseats (still rear-facing!) and long roadtrips to visit family for Christmas, which felt more like your “first Christmas” than last year since you were so much more aware… and fun!

And after all of that, there was a lot more transition in our lives with Daddy’s new role and responsibilities at work, including more time away from us than we’ve all been used to and your dropping two naps to one. It was a lot of change all at once for all of us, and we hunkered down and put on our survival gear and trudged through. Meanwhile, your pixie hair gave way to these perfect little wavy locks just gracing your shoulder, as giant white molars surfaced in the back of your mouth – all four, at once. Your sure and steady walk turned into an adorable trot and your rare, slightly intelligible words have turned into a running list of slightly more intelligible words babbled at a pretty steady frequency. You’ve been as independent and needy as ever, snuggly and opinionated, expressive and emotional. Not a day goes by that we aren’t laughing at something you do, as you love to perform.

We’ve turned into a family that adores Saturday mornings together, where we pack up and hit our favorite breakfasts spots and flit about town until it’s time for you to get down for a nap. This has become so special as we spend no other mornings together, all three of us at once, and our weeknights we can never count on routine from week to week – between Daddy’s workload and Momma’s workouts and datenights and everything else in between. We’ve bundled our way through the weekends this year, playing on Saturday morning and spending time with our church family on Sundays. Our church where we finally had the opportunity to stand before the congregation and vow to raise you in the knowledge of Christ – one of the best commitments I’ve ever made before a crowd, like to my own relationship with Christ and with your Daddy.

And now it is officially spring. After more snow than I thought we’d ever get, ever, in this true winter, everything is abloom and we’ve hunted for Easter eggs and donned sweet vintage frocks and we are finding a new rhythm… I think. The weather has been so unpredictable lately but we’ve gotten out enough for me to know that I am so looking forward to this new season with you. You love to run and climb and slide and swing and pick flowers and you’re managing not to put everything into your mouths, these days. I watch you and marvel, between steering you away from danger and helping you navigate new skills and experiences. Few things are as rewarding as these new days with you as you learn everyday to communicate in new ways and for me to be able to understand what you need and want.

Sweet girl, I wish you could know now and always how proud of you I am. How magnificent every little thing you are is in my eyes, and that even on our most tired and S.O.S. days, being your Momma is one of the very greatest joys of my life. A stretchy, challenging, happy, frustrating, mind-boggling, messy but sacred joy. Love you, always.