Bailey & Kevin {Couples}

I can admit that I was weary to schedule another session during the week of Christmas since I had all three boys at home with me, 2 newborn sessions, and a wedding to photograph also. However, it was Bailey’s heartfelt email requesting a last minute session that sealed the deal and do whatever it took to schedule a session for her and her husband.

While they met in high school, Bailey and Kevin were not close friends or even hung out that much. Early on in high school, Kevin opted to return to home schooling where he graduated early at 16. It was not until after Bailey's own graduation that they met again. Bailey was waitressing at Gordo’s when Kevin and some friends were seated in her section. While his face was familiar she could not quite place who he was…but Kevin knew who she was right away. After what was undoubtedly a romantic courtship, Kevin continued on with his plans to leave for Virginia where he was attending Tech School for the Air Force. Like so many military men have done before him, it was in a letter that Kevin asked for Bailey’s hand in marriage. This past November, Bailey’s mom drove her to Virginia where Bailey and Kevin were married by the justice of peace in a small intimate wedding. After they were married, Bailey returned home to wait for his word of when he too would be home for Christmas. A week before Christmas Day, she typed out her email to me and that was when I knew I would take the wedding pictures they never had. After my own wedding story, how could I ever say no?

You can see from their session they are just perfect for one another. Mature beyond their years, they see the world in a different way than most. Full of laughter they are playful and sweet but also respectful and intuitive to what the other needs. Instead of posing we talked, I told them to talk, encouraged them to act as if I was not even there...and well, you can look for yourself and see how that plan worked out!

Two days after our session, Bailey texted me and asked me how long her album would be available for before it expired...because Kevin was given his orders and they are relocating to Germany this weekend. You read that right. As of January 4, 2014 at exactly 14:33, Kevin and Bailey will fly to Germany where Kevin is stationed indefinitely. 

This is it folks. Just another story behind why I love being a photographer. I get to tell the story you never want to forget. I get to see a love that is so fearless and bold it makes you feel like part of the story and not just a bystander. I watch sacrifice and devotion unfold effortlessly in what can at times feel like a selfish world otherwise. My job, my work, is exactly what foundation my family strives to build our own lives on…something so amazing that if I did not see it for myself I would question if it ever really happened. 

*The answer to Bailey’s question about her album expiring was that I would have them ready to view and download before they stepped on a plane and leave their album open for as long as they needed me to...it's the least I could do for his service and their sacrifice.

    

Oh, and yes, she is pretty much Reese Witherspoons twin sister. Did I forget to mention that?