People talk about putting away your phone and being present in the moment. I had my phone with me up to a point and then I set it down in the arts and crafts building and didn’t pick it back up until sometime before the reception. I understand the point of not being distracted but for me, taking photos is a way that I enjoy and enter into a moment. It’s driving me nuts that I don’t have more pictures of my own from the day.

Many of the details are already fading from memory. The groomsman were here getting ready in our room. I put a few things in our closet, vacuumed the rug, and just told them that they could get ready in there. Besides Miles who was a high a school friend, and one of my sons, the rest of the groomsmen were friends from camp. Laura’s brother was supposed to be also but his spot was given to another camp friend, Logan.

I can’t tell you how many times that child gave me a heart attack. I will never forget the time somewhere in the 2018-2019 range when they were at our house and Logan stood on the railing of our second story deck. He was facing the deck with his back to the terrifying drop below. I looked at him and spoke very slowly and carefully, saying “Logan, I love you. Get down.” I mean there’s something about those kids that you like.

But boy. So then the photographer and her daughter came over as well as the videographer who was Laura’s dad’s brother. I didn’t know they were coming. The boys were all sitting in the living room chilling without much care in the world. Ethan had just gone into the shower and not a soul was in their wedding clothes. All I could think was, “My house smells like cat and all these people are in here.” But I had to just deal with it.

So I asked the lady if she could come back in 20 minutes. So by the time she came they were pretty much dressed except for their ties. I told her she could go back to our room where Ethan was getting ready. His dad helped him with his hair but he still wasn’t happy with it. He has a full head of hair that he doesn’t normally try to style or pay attention much to how it looks. I played with it but overall I thought it looked very nice.

He looked so handsome in his suit. Just unbelievably so. At some point I went back into the living room where the rest of the groomsman had moved to.

When Ethan was done getting dressed the photographer wanted a picture of me adjusting his tie. We stood by the window because that’s where the light was.

This whole stretch was one of my favorite parts because I wasn’t expecting it and had to improvise and go with the flow. The priority was getting these boys dressed and looking sharp and out the door for their pictures.

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(photo credits: hannah w.)