Having the opportunity to marry people for a living is just something I can’t really explain. It’s one of the most cherished and intimate times in people’s lives. You have one shot, one day, one moment to get it all right. It’s a hard feeling to describe, but addicting nonetheless. 

That same feeling intensifies when your childhood friend hires you to be that person. 23 years later and I sit here sharing his engagement shoot with who will soon be his wife. It’s emotional. Just like watching my little sister marry this past Summer, it’s weird how fast time flies. How fast we grow. How much we change. 

I remember so vividly our street hockey matches, the endless games of kick the can, learning how to ride a bike and when all of the neighborhood kids buckled into our newest roller blades as if we were the cast in our favorite Disney movie, Brink! It was those long summer nights we hoped the street lights would never come on, as that was our signal that it was time to go inside. That was us. Those memories will always be a part of me. Just like the people and those neighborhood kids, we are so deeply rooted with one another, whether we believe it or not.

When I started seeing pictures of his fiance (girlfriend at the time) and creepily (admit it, already, we all do it!) following his life and journey in San Francisco with this new woman via social media, I kept thinking how stunning she was, and is. 

Fast forward to today, writing about the journey Danielle and I get to take with them over the next year as we plan their destination wedding in Portland. It really is moments like these when I feel so fortunate for the people it brings back into my life. 

Tonight I reflect on the past, look forward to what lies ahead and wish Bobby and Julie an engagement full of health and happiness until we meet again. As adults. And marry you to your best friend. 

Love,

Kelsey 

 

Photography by Ryan Peterson