There was a moment during Natalie and Sam’s Ceremony, that I will always remember. As they stood at the front of the church with all of their loved ones there as witnesses, Natalie’s eyes fell to her husbands hands that were wrapped around hers. The ring that she helped him pick out was now around his finger and a smile of amazement crept onto her face as she realized the marriage they had been planning for was beginning in this very moment. And while she closed her eyes and tried to preserve that memory, Sam looked at the pews in front of them. Where he found his best friends, his family, the friends and family that made his wife the person he fell in love with, and his parents. For a moment he locked eyes with his mom and I could see his heart fill with her love. In that moment she smiled to him, as if to tell him she was proud.

To be loved is to be known and when you’re with Natalie and Sam you are known. When I walked up to Natalie on her wedding day I was greeted with the sweetest hug and an excited Natalie saying, “Kaitlynn, how have you been? How is married life?” she then turned to her bridesmaids and said “This is Kaitlynn, she is the sweetest in the whole world.” My heart instantly melted and I witnessed that same kindness, joy, and love from Natalie and Sam the entire day to everyone they spoke to. And they get it honestly–both sets of their parents exerted that same love. From Natalie’s parents greeting everyone as they came in to Sam’s mom and dad as they overcame all obstacles to be present on this day and spent every moment showering Natalie & Sam with teary smiles.

Natalie & Sam,

I could spend the rest of my life thanking you for letting me into your wedding day, and it would never be enough. I’ve loved having so much fun at your engagement session all the way up to your I do’s. I hope you forever look back on these images and are reminded of the people and the memories that brought you together on your wedding day. I hope every photograph captured the millions of feelings you had throughout each moment. From the peacefulness of your first look, when relief flooded your hearts because of the touch of each others hands, all the way to the fulfillment that came when you celebrated during your reception and looked around at the faces you are so glad got to witness the start of your marriage. I am forever cheering you on and am so grateful I got to be a part of this day.