He knew right away. She was gorgeous, put together, athletic and did I mention she was a Beaver fan? The first time they met, he knew.

Billy and Eric have been friends for years. They both grew up in the small town of Yoncalla, Oregon, population practically nothing. Don’t blink or you’ll miss it. The kind of place where everyone knows everyone, and if you didn’t move there recently you’re probably distantly related to the person you’re dating. Those who are smart, leave the stump to find their soul mate. We were all a little concerned about Eric until we met Jesse, if I’m being perfectly honest here. He was a little too nice and attracted all the wrong kinds of women, but I suppose to be fair… at least they weren’t related to him.

The minute Billy and I met Jesse, we started in on Eric to propose. Sorry Jesse! ;-) She was perfect for him… maybe a little too perfect. Sweeter than sugar, easy to talk to, and she was already dating him so he had a leg up! She fit in with his friends, was smart, interesting, and loved the same sports team… can you imagine a Duck dating a Beaver? Me neither.

Eric and Jesse held hands and vowed their love and commitment to each other on a gorgeous summer day at The Ranch on Beaver Creek in Lebanon, Oregon. Little touches of Beaver orange are here and there, and the most important element, their friends and family were abound. It was a wonderful celebration of these two and their perfect mix. So extremely happy to say that Eric and Jesse are now husband and wife!

I stared across the room in disbelief. All three years this far, I had been in the lap of luxury, bunked in a cabin called Smith. It was like the castle of camp: indoor bathrooms, a little kitchen, HEAT… and all right across from my best friend Marie in Herron. Now they want to stick me out in Abrams? How was I supposed to survive way out in the woods away from her? Where I had to leave my cabin if I needed to pee… What if it was the middle of the night? Would there be animals trying to get in and steal my snacks? I’m positive there were spiders in it. As far as I knew, this particular cabin had a dirt floor, that was how primitive it was….

I wouldn’t know, because I refused to step foot in it. I narrowed my eyes and looked right into the camp directors soul. I cried, stamped my feet, and I think I actually threatened (albeit falsely) not to come to camp if he put me way out in Kuwait. Sound like your typical 13 year old?  No… I wasn’t 13, I was 17… WOW. I was convinced I needed to be at the heart of the action, in the middle of camp near people not raccoons. I got my way, which isn’t probably a good result to that kind of behavior. I think I scared him. I scared Marie too. She probably didn’t realize how much I loved her, until then. She definitely knew then.

Who wouldn’t love this face?

This is Mesha, Marie and I… Mesha was the third Musketeer.

And this is the three of us performing a choreographed interpretive dance to a mashup of “Big Spender” and Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now”. It’s priceless. There is a video somewhere… if anyone has it and could give it to me, I would love you forever.

Camp was something I looked forward to all year. I should be a national summer camp spokesperson, I love it so much I could have married it and had it’s children. There is always good food, belly laughs, and quality conversation with those you’ve missed all year long. I met some of my best lifelong friends through camp. As a child I went to every kind of camp I could convince my parents to send me to, day camp, overnight camp, 4-H camp, YMCA camp, church camp… and when I outgrew children’s camps I went through training to be a camp counselor. My children will go to camp every year… and they will love it.

This is one of my first cabin groups at an overnight camp I was a counselor at. I adored these girls, each one of them. I know they’re stronger women from the love and leadership they learned at camp. AND in case you’re wondering, they’re all huddled around a golden plunger. Don’t ask, you had to be there.

I’ve been too busy through college and my adult years to get away to a camp… sad face. The good news is, every interaction with Billy’s family is like a little morsel of summer camp. Summer camp for adults. This time of year we’re usually packing the car for a labor day weekend of non-stop craziness at Billy’s family reunion. For whatever reason it didn’t work out this year. I guess sometimes life gets in the way, things get to busy in our own little clusters… and the extra chaos just might put us over the edge. It’s always difficult as a wedding photographer to put a summer weekend aside for myself, but I crave this interaction. I need them, they’re a part of my soul, them AND the crazy.

photo by Amy McMullen

Today I’m celebrating all that summer camp has given me. Confidence, openness, leadership, love, social graces, certain professional crafting skills, and my Marie. I’m thankful for a family that brings me as much joy as camp does, and I’m missing them this weekend.

With love,

Laura

Maybe it was in the hallway between classes, or as she climbed into a friends car headed home, where it first clicked, where he first noticed her all those years ago. High school memories, first loves, formal dances….

Do you remember the feeling of that first relationship in high school like I do? The first one that really mattered? Like floating on air. The feeling like your heart would burst out of your chest if it could. Fear and excitement of the unknown… what do we really know about the opposite sex at 15 anyway? Well, I knew nothing.

There are the lucky few who can hold on to those feelings of anticipation, adoration and twitterpation and turn it into love. Meet two of those few, Bryce and Annicca. It’s no mystery what makes these two so amazing together, it’s plain as day in the photos you’re about to see. They didn’t let the spark die, they’ve been inseparable since that dance he asked her to. A house, two dogs, and seven years later the perfect proposal at the Space Needle. Now in a few short weeks, they’ll say “I do” and make it official.

Bryce and Annicca,

I can’t wait for your big day! It was such a blast tromping through the park with you. Looking forward to more adventures in a couple weeks! Here is to forever!

xo,
Laura

Annicca… are you kidding me?? You’re GORGEOUS!

My favorite from the day…