Justin is an amazing soccer player and I have no doubt we will be watching him in the MLS someday soon.  Cheers to a beautiful couple with a future as shiny as their hair!

Hope to see you…

The evening was filled with heartfelt toasts and as the sun deepened in the sky, the dance floor was illuminated and guests celebrated late into the night.  The photobooth was a hit–people stopped by again and again and again… Amazing what a box of props and a camera can unleash : )

Congratulations Alicia and Marlon!  Thank you for such a perfect day!

xo

After dashing about downtown for urban photos, the limo delivered each side of the bridal party to the stunning venue on Sauvie Island sauvieisland.org/,  the home of the Groom’s aunt and uncle.  I had never heard of Sauvie Island before Laura contacted me.  It is this magical little nugget of agricultural goodness just outside of Portland.  Fields of lavendar, berries and farms roll along, the wind acting as a composer.  It is one of the most beautiful places I’ve been.  Laura and Mitch honored their families by wearing the Groom’s mother’s veil and the Brides grandmother’s necklace.  Laura carried a handkerchief tucked into her bouquet that had been in Mitch’s family wedding for four generations.  So very sweet!

Laura’s attention to detail was impeccable. The ceremony was followed by a cocktail hour which then gave way to dinner.  Guests were seated in long rows of tables, and the meal was served family style in the middle of a fruit orchard by the deliciously talented Portland Catering Company staff http://www.portlandcateringcompany.com/.  White lights strung the perimeter and tea lights daintily hung in the trees–it was breathtaking.  We were able to spend the golden hour during sunset, capturing portraits of the bride and groom. It was difficult not to get carried away.  Every where I turned was another incredible panorama!  I loved every minute spent out there–thank you for allowing me to be a part of your celebration!

Venue: Grand Holiday Ballroom, www.grandholidayballroom.com

Officiant: Joan Cathey

Floral:Newbury Bay, www.newburybay.com

Cake: Celebrity Cake Studio, www.celebritycakestudio.com

I was driving home a few weeks ago, stopped at a red light preparing to turn from 4th Ave onto Capitol Boulevard, when I noticed a man struggling in the street. It appeared he had fallen off the sidewalk and into an empty parking space quite close to the road. He was loaded down with a backpack and may have been intoxicated, but he was struggling, and he was all alone. It was nearly 4:30 pm and there were lots of cars and pedestrians around. I was amazed that no one close by was offering help. I pulled my car over, dashed across four lanes of traffic and held out my hand to him. He looked up at me, smiled a smile almost full of teeth, and reached for my hand. I lifted him up, and though he winced as pain shot up his injured ankle, he was still smiling. As my hand slipped into his, I was struck by how soft and warm and clean and real his hand was. We talked for a few minutes, I made sure he was fine and on his way and smiled once more into his deep brown eyes. I dashed back across the street, blinking back tears, and slipped into my car. Here was a man, overlooked by so many, with warm, clean, hands. A man who, at one time, was someone’s loved child (I hoped). And a man who needed to remember how to be gentle with himself. To treat his warm, soft hands and his body, with tenderness and care. It broke my heart and I found myself sobbing on my drive home. And I made a promise to myself to be gentle. And as I cried, I also hoped for a future where others would remember to be gentle as well…