05/22/2024
Moments like this, that are once in a lifetime, stand out above the rest and I’m reminded of why I do this in the first place 💗🥲
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“I keep saying that this journey is going to be a story one day. I can’t help but share glimpses along the way to stay encouraged but also to hopefully bring encouragement to someone else. Plus like Leia says, “let His light shine…”
There’s a depth to these photos that many will not understand. I’m no model and I’m incredibly awkward in front of the camera. Not to mention all the physical changes that one endures during pregnancy stirs up other insecurities. It took a LOT of courage (and sister encouragement) to put on this red dress. But if there’s one thing I’m confident of, every single moment of this shoot was God showing up and out for us. May 18 we celebrated five years of marriage. Who knew five years could draw out the best and worst of you, yet draw you so much closer to God & eachother. My love for my husband is stronger than I could have ever imagined and I am so grateful to literally be married to my best friend.
For a little context, it poured almost the whole week prior to this day, and all day leading up to the very moment we began. I wasn’t even anxious about it, we just kept laughing-our life in a nutshell, just another adventure. Our photographer, (so much more than that- she’s a sister, prayer warrior, mama, and all around amazing person) Amber McDonald Mitre stayed committed, showing up in full rain gear, boots and all. She didn’t just show up, she was EXCITED to be there. The moment we stepped out onto the beach the rain stopped & didn’t start again until we were literally driving away. The water was still and there was such a deep sense of peace.
In one moment as Amber was posing me, I happened to look up into the sky and saw a heart shape in the clouds. I had just opened my eyes after a deep exhale and there it was. So much emotion came over me and a gentle breeze blew. It’s as if God was saying “I’m here. Just be.” And so I did. We laughed, we cried, we played, and let it all go. Selah.
The circumstances surrounding this photoshoot are bittersweet. The colors I realized are even more profound. As I surrender it all to Jesus, myself, my marriage, my sweet Leia girl, and my sweet Eliana (whenever she decides to arrive), I am continually dying to myself. I rise again with a renewed hope, standing confident knowing there is an eternity with Jesus. Our evidence is this- we have seen and we have heard His love poured out on us. There might still be a rough journey ahead but we know the one who goes before us. We are anchored.
Psalm 121 ✨
Credit to some amazing people that I’m so honored to have in my life…
📸 Hello Love Photography by Amber Mitre
🌸 Lei by Alana Fuller-Tanaka
✨Glory by God Himself””
