One of my first memories of this groom was on winter retreat when he was a middle schooler and I was a young camp counselor. Goodness… must have been close to 15 years ago. The reason I love that so much is because this weekend was like going back to winter retreat – and while we were there a wedding broke out. Three days in the snow every moment worth cementing to memory. Not to mention spending an extra night with the happy couple and 6 others as we shared the last hotel room in town due to the pass closing once we were half-way home. I don’t recommend that drive at 1:00 in the morning… on no sleep, going 25 miles an hour for an hour and a half. Anyhow…
Shannon is David’s perfect mate! These two are SO MUCH JOY. but also, such an incredible picture of marriage (yes, already). The first to jump in and help. The first to offer support. The first to admit their own human-ness and the first to reach out for help. Good thing this crew (who were INCREDIBLY all hands on deck all weekend) of family and friends is one of the most incredible support groups I’ve ever been a part of. A piece of my soul will forever be tied to the college group I first met Shannon in. She joined David and his friends and it was like she’d always been there. A lot of years were spent in ministry with this group and I’m getting excited + nervous + a little sad as I type this… that so many of that group are coupling off and getting married or have already been for a few years now. Incredible… what God is doing. And what he’s going to do with all these new marriages.
I could not be happier for these guys. Really I couldn’t. There’s a point in time, when you’ve spent a lot of years in ministry that you step back, all your students are grown and you think to yourself, “these guys know so much more than I could ever teach.” For this photog, just a girl with no kiddos of her own, it’s a remarkable experience: to get to watch people grow up into these amazing humans who will literally change the world.
Speaking of which… I asked if the happy couple had anything they wanted to share and Shannon wrote a POEM!!
A beautiful Day, A beautiful Bride
Wonderful friends in whom to confide
A handsome Groom, A friend filled room
Proving wishes + dreams really do come true
Vows made that day will stay strong in all our tomorrows with Christ at our side,
Yes, it’s he we shall follow.
Days will come + days will go
And through it all our love will grow.
Congrats Mr. + Mrs. Hiley – March 3, 2018
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