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Bella’s Story | North Park | Springboro, Ohio

Friday, May 31, 2019

Growing up, we didn’t have dogs. What we did have was lots of cats with even more nicknames. Snookers, aka Schnooks, Jasmine aka Jeezers Double cheezers, Little Guy aka Littles Marittles… you get the idea (my big brother Tyler gets most of the credit for all the goofy names). I will always have a place in my heart for the kitties who kept us company during those rocky years but there’s something about being a dog owner that has changed me forever. My dogs, much like my children (before teen/tween years lol), have modeled to me the way to live life to the fullest; completely present to the world around them, faithful to the ones they love, and joyfully receiving the small treats throughout each of their days.

So when Steve contacted me and asked if I would be able to photograph his Border Collie, Bella, I jumped at the chance. Not only did I have so much fun watching Bella in her element, but I also thoroughly enjoyed listening to Steve tell Bella’s story with such awe and wonder for his faithful friend. It is with great pleasure and a dog lover’s gratitude that I get to share Bella’s story with you:

All I ever wanted as a kid was a dog who could catch a frisbee.

My wife was totally opposed to getting a Border Collie- she knew the inherent responsibility of taking care of it, in order to do it right. She knew I’d be fixated on ensuring that the dog had enough exercise- that it would be a big, big, big commitment which it has been.

But I persisted and we got Bella.

It was July 4 weekend. She was the last one of the litter to be taken. When we got home we had no kennel, no food, nothing. We did have bowls though, from my Labrador, Randi, who had passed away only 9 months before. Randi was to me the perfect dog, but Bella has taken that to another level.

She’s a magnet here at the park this time a year. This is her season to give back is what I call it. There are always strangers and new people at the park who haven’t seen her before and really marvel at some of the things she does athletically.

She’s a rugged dog too, she likes to explore the creeks and get dirty. Her temperament is incredible.

We exposed her to lots of stimuli early on in life and so she’s very sociable, she’s very lovable.

We introduced her to frisbee, early on. My buddy Tom helped me. We had the fortunate privilege of working with his dog Holly- who is a border collie a little bit older than Bella and a great frisbee dog. Bella did a couple extended play sessions with Holly until she got the ropes down and put it all together. That was when she was less than one year old.

Around that time, we had an accident at the park and the vet thought she tore her ACL. They recommended surgery but I said no. We ended up doing physical therapy and that got us by. She’s just a miracle!

We continue to do daily walks and use a lacrosse ball and the frisbee- we take it to new heights.

She gets the morning walk, the evening walk, I have a dog walker. She gets a ton of workouts and then we have a tracker on her that tracks her minutes and her activities and mileage so she’s a very well cared for dog.

A couple years ago I got into a frisbee dog league here in Dayton and she did well with that-with distance and accuracy frisbee throwing. She’s just continued to perfect her craft and take it to the next level. She’s 6, still at her prime- she just does some amazing things with her frisbee.

My plan next is to get her certified as a therapy dog to go into nursing homes, to help kids with autism.

My wife loves Bella now. Although she still complains about the time she has to spend walking Bella, she loves it and its good because it gets her out.

For me, Bella has given me fulfillment.

I’ve been able to actualize my dream of having an ultimate frisbee dog.

I get to do it every day. Rain or shine.

And I get to enjoy it…

Ken & Lauren | Fallsville Wildlife Area | New Vienna, Ohio

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Every year, on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, we take the scenic drive to visit Josh’s family in peaceful Hillsboro, Ohio. Josh has about 50 cousins and I will admit, after almost 14 years of marriage, I still don’t know most of their names. I do know Lauren- though I always confuse her with Josh’s Aunts, Laura and Lori (you see why I gave up years ago???) Lauren is the complete package- embodying the best traits her amazing parents, Bill and Lettie could pass down. She is smart yet compassionate, sweet yet fierce, gorgeous yet modest but most of all she is dearly loved by our family. So when she brought a man to Thanksgiving last November, our ears perked up and our eyes were watching, waiting…who was this curious fellow? Ken smiled and spoke. A familiar warmth filled the room. He fit in perfectly.

When I found out about their engagement not too long afterwards I was not surprised one bit. I knew the very first time I saw them together that it would be unlikely I’d ever see them apart again…

We met each other online. I had given online dating a try and had enjoyed the experience of meeting many interesting people. I was getting tired however, of the time it took and frustrated that most of the guys I was meeting were not living out their professed faith. Ken reached out to me and I messaged him back. Apparently, I was in the “what if” category…

Initially, I was not interested in him at all. Our conversations online were nice; however, not earth shattering and I didn’t think his pictures did him justice.

Ken kept pursuing me however…

After screening my Instagram, he asked to skype. I kept delaying and putting off the skype date because I was so busy and didn’t think this was going anywhere. Finally, after approximately 2 weeks I committed to a day and went on an 8 mile run right before our skype. Sweaty, flushed, and ready to get this over with, I joined the call.

IMMEDIATELY, however, I was taken aback by his smile, energy, and genuineness. We talked for over an hour and I loved every minute of it.

When we got off the call he had not asked for a second date, and I called my mom panicking because I REALLY wanted to meet him…

I remember seeing Lauren in person for the first time through the side-mirror of my rental car. I sharply remember her stance, like that of a warrior waiting for the events to follow, I quickly grabbed the flowers in the seat next to me, finished up a prayer and went outside to meet her in person, and I was instantly blown away.

It’s one thing to see something beautiful online, it’s another thing to behold it in person with your very eyes.

Well, I did get that second date. A little later after our skype call, Ken asked me on a date. He said he was “old fashioned” and he wanted to meet my parents and ask them for permission to take me out. I actually really liked this for a couple of reasons:

My mom is really opinionated and picky so I thought, we might as well get the screening done now
I knew he was really serious about this as it would take a lot of courage to meet someone’s parents…especially my parents.
It made me feel very safe since I did not know anything about him.

He arrived promptly at my parents’ home that Saturday bringing me flowers. He was so kind, thoughtful, and articulate. My parents and I talked to him for over an hour. It was not awkward or uncomfortable, it just felt natural.

Afterward he took me hiking. We went to a waterfall and another hiking trail. I picked up on small gestures that I loved, i.e. holding the door open for me, looking behind to take my hand and help me down the rock cliffs, bringing me Gatorade….he was very thoughtful. We had no trouble talking the whole time. Asking questions about each other, laughing. Ken had great eye contact and a sense of confidence about him that I really appreciated.

The real challenge was to keep my attention to every word she spoke, my thoughts about her beauty and character kept filling my mind. I knew I wanted to marry her from that day on. It was just a matter of waiting, winning her heart and praying.

After hiking we went to dinner and then to a café for coffee where we talked some more. We were together for over 6 hours on our first date! I don’t think either of us wanted to leave.

It was a day I didn’t want to say goodbye…

It became routine during the first few weeks of dating that after Lauren and I would both say our goodbyes, we’d end up calling each other on the phone to clarify our statements/actions. We had to learn to trust one another, while keeping an open line of communication.

From the very beginning Ken set the foundation for pursuing me very intentionally. I have never met a man that has so many communication skills. We are able to clearly articulate our feelings, thoughts, and process through hard times and celebrate our successes.

This openness with one another has really helped Lauren and I immediately discuss any doubts, or concerns right away so that we can both grow rather than potentially stunting the growth of our relationship.

My biggest challenge is balancing independence and leadership. I have a strong personality and a strong desire to be independent…

Ken strives to be the Godly leader. At first I immediately resisted any instruction or guidance as I was afraid to lose myself. Throughout our dating journey through prayer and discussion I am learning how to accept help and adopt a more “together” mentality.

Ken and I are both pretty serious individuals…

Since Lauren and I are both thinkers/processors we like to examine and dig deep into what we say. Thankfully we are able to balance each other out. We have times where we are goofy and laugh and times where we are very intentional. I believe we have cultivated a healthy balance.

Lauren and mine’s relationship is comparable to two things that pair really well together. Like freshly-popped popcorn and a good movie.

I used to plan out each day and my future fully. I began to realize this lead to a lot of anxiety however, because if my plans did not succeed I became very anxious. I am working on surrendering control to the Lord to direct my path.

Whether God leads Ken and I to partner with local or global missions, I pray that we have a heart for service and with the two of us we will strengthen each other to do more for God’s Kingdom than we could ever do alone.

PS- If you’re like me and always looking for new nature scenery check out Fallsville Wildlife Area– it was truly breathtaking!

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Rhea’s Senior Story | Crain’s Run & Smale Riverfront Park | Miamisburg Class of 2019

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Rhea is the kind of young person who gives me a hopeful outlook for the future. She’s courteous, mature, and most importantly, she loves her family. Here’s her senior story:

For fun I like to dance.

People ask me to dance at weddings so usually me and a couple friends will choreograph a Bollywood dance.

Two years ago my family moved from Cincinnati to Miamisburg.

I lived there since I was four- basically since I could remember. I went from private school to public school. I feel like it is more eye opening- you see different types of people in a public school. In private school everyone is the same.

I like the diversity in public but there are times I miss private school. I miss wearing uniforms because you don’t have to worry about what to wear every morning.

It’s been a challenge making new friends. I’m not as outgoing as I’d like to be.

I’m really shy at first.

Sometimes I expect people to kind of include me in things rather than me initiating conversations. When they initiate first then I’ll be like, ok, maybe they don’t hate me.

This year I have been initiating a lot more than last year.

Once I get to know someone I end up talking, like a lot.

This fall I’m going to school at UC to study business law.

I choose business law as a kind of a last resort thing. I can’t do anything medical because I’m terrified of needles and blood. But being a business lawyer… I feel like I have so many connections within my family. My family owns hotels-they are business owners. It’s something I’d be confident in going into more than anything else.

The most important thing in my life is family. Moving made me appreciate my family even more and it definitely brought us together. When we first moved we didn’t know many people in the area. We spent more time together for sure.

In 10 years I see myself living in a big city. I’m not sure where yet.

I definitely see a family.

Being a Zumba instructor would be fun…

Have you ever been to Smale Riverfront Park in Cincinnati? It’s a pretty happening place, only costs $5 bucks to park and there’s even a Carousel for the kids. If you make the trek, I recommend hitting up Eli’s BBQ for some grub…you absolutely MUST try their jalapeño cheddar grits!

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Marley’s Story | Rainbow Bridge Session At Home | Springboro, Ohio

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

When I found out my neighbors dog was diagnosed with a terminal illness I tried to think of a way I could help. I have not experienced the loss of a dog yet but I have experienced loss, I have experienced grief. And I hate it- I want to beat it! But I know that if I did I would no longer be able to love because grief is love. Maybe the best way I could help my friends as they came face to face with their dog’s death would be documenting the precious life and love they would soon be grieving. The life they would always love and often, especially in the beginning, long for. Here’s Marley’s story:

We got Marley when we were out to dinner. We had a wait at a restaurant and right next door there was a pet shop. We took the boys to look at the pets to pass the time. Oscar was 3 and Ben was 6. There was this dog that was quarantined from all the other dogs and we were like what’s wrong with that one? He was just a puppy and he looked like a lab.

We took him home and the kids called him Marley because the movie, Marley and Me was out around that time. We’ve had him a year longer than we’ve had Grace.

When he was a puppy he used to curl up in a little ball and he looked just like a little cotton ball. He had floppy ears, it was pretty cute. One ear flopped down and one went straight up. We started to think we had gotten a fox.

He was literally the most chill dog. Gentile. Docile. He grew up with the kids and toddlers – they beat on them. He just took it.

He never snipped, never snapped back. He sniffed filet before eating it. He was spoiled. He didn’t bark. He wanted to be in your sight. Anytime the kids came over for piano he jumped up in his chair.

I don’t think I ever yelled at him. -Josh

My favorite thing to do with Marley was laying with him and watching movies. Just cuddling… -Oscar

I liked taking him on walks and running with him. -Ben

He loved the guinea pigs. He never tried to eat them, he just licked them. -Grace

We’re going to miss the running more than anything. -Heather

Everybody in the running community around here has run with him. I’ve taken him on all these group runs so everybody knows who Marley is.

Losing a dog is like losing a best friend.

They’re with us everyday.

In loving memory of Marley 2010-2019

“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.” –Will Rogers

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Interview with Savannah 9 Years Old, Springboro, Ohio

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

The other night we were bored at soccer practice so Savannah I looked at some old blog posts.

We ran across an interview I did with my niece Caylee Jo a few years ago, and Savannah was inspired.

Here’s a sweet lil’ glimpse of Savannah at age 9:

What’s your favorite color?

Teal

What’s your favorite food?

Salad and pizza

What’s your favorite candy?

Kit Kat

What do you think heaven’s like?

I think it’s a huge light and there’s God and we change into people we want to be but I would want to be an animal.

A bunny. Actually no a wolf.

What age do you think a person is an adult?

I think about nineteen

Why do you think nineteen makes them an adult?

Because it sounds like a good age for an adult and I’ve heard about it.

If you could change one rule about your family what would you change?

No noises! Only if it’s drums and music and stuff.

What makes your family special?

We all love music.

What makes a person good?

When they’re kind and respectful to other people and they don’t always blame people for what they do. Or lie.

What makes a person bad?

If they’re murdering, kidnapping, being very rude, blaming other people. And lying.

Are you a good friend?

Sometimes. When I’m rude I’m grumpy and in the mood to blame people.

I don’t know why. When I’m happy I’m in the mood to be nice.

Can you control your moods?

Sometimes.

If you could be invisible for a day what would you do?

I would steal donuts from Bills and bring them home and give them away but nobody would know who it is because I’m invisible!

What is the best gift you’ve ever been given?

My life.

Why is that the best?

So I have time to be here. My friends are here.

What is the hardest thing about being a kid?

Teachers scream at you.

Only teachers?

And…my mom…and my dad…and my brothers.

Where’s your favorite place in the world?

Florida

If you could give a gift to every child in the world what would it be?

I would give them all water clothes and food. Good food.

If you could make one rule that everyone would have to follow, what would it be?

NO stealing jewelry. Actually…NO stealing valentines! Actually… NO being a bully!

Brittany’s Mom Story | At Home in the Fall | Oregon District

Friday, January 11, 2019

Parenting, like love, is fucking messy.

Real life looks more like crumbs on the table and toys on the floor than a Pottery Barn catalog.

The notion that every other family is perfect and their children go to bed easily without fuss and every morning is perfect, the idea that everyone else has their shit more together than me and every moment spent with their family is wholesome, full of carefree happiness and gratitude…

I had to let it go, it’s not real.

Parenting is not Pinterest.

The working-mom guilt, the overall anxiety that I’m doing it all wrong and screwing my children up permanently guilt. The having to make money to survive and pay bills and getting misty when I miss an important milestone like losing a first tooth, only to be told by a babysitter or teacher guilt. The exhausted parent guilt of forgetting to put money under the pillow because I’m also the tooth fairy, or getting slightly annoyed because I’m a servant to my children even when I’m sick. The single parent guilt because I’m divorced and they notice I’m ringless- as if I can’t be a great parent anyway. The guilt that the fairy tale I dreamt of sometimes seems to be turning into a nightmare. The guilt of being any kind of family that doesn’t fit society’s norm…

I had to let it go.

There are no perfect children, and there are no perfect parents. Whether you are a stay-at-home, working, single, married, divorced, or a something else parent, it isn’t easy. I have to constantly remind myself on the hardest days that despite the Instagram feeds, nobody else knows what they’re doing either.

So I’m setting the bar a little lower. That sounds opposite of what the parenting books say, and I don’t mean that I shouldn’t seek to improve on areas they feel weak, but if I’m constantly comparing myself to others, it’s impossible to be happy. I need to be gentle with myself. My children are happier when I’m happier, no matter what that happiness looks like.

For me that means letting the dishes sit in the sink. It means reading the extra bedtime story. After all, the dishes and never ending laundry mountain will still be there waiting on me. I try to teach my kids to help with the household tasks, instilling independence and teamwork- showing them they are a part of a bigger picture. The world doesn’t revolve around them. I don’t hide every challenge and inconvenience from them in attempt to keep the world a magical place.

I don’t do everything for them, but teach them that they are strong and capable of getting through anything that comes their way if they don’t give up. I want to teach them to ask for help, to allow them to try and work through problems.

Life is crazy and imbalances are unavoidable. Some days are smooth sailing, others I’m boarding up the windows and embracing the hurricane. The dream of running off to join the circus becomes impossible when I realize that we ARE the circus… and that’s okay.

The Lurie’s Fall Story | At Home | Englewood, Ohio,

Monday, December 17, 2018

Our family is generous, loving and connected.

We work together to bring joy and love every day.

Bonnie is a logistics director at Kids Read Now. She helps select the books for the program and helps make sure thousands of students get free books throughout the summer months.

Josh owns his own wood working business where he creates many unique and amazing things from wood. When in season, he works as a naturalist at the Miami county parks, helping teach children about nature.

Emma wants to be a paleontologist when she grows up.

Susan wants to be a zoologist and animal trainer.

When we aren’t working or going to school, we love to snuggle, watch movies, go on hikes, play at playgrounds, play games and bake.

We have many dreams and goals. Bonnie wants to make it through life happy and alive and raise loving, amazing children.

We fight battles big & small, united as a family, which helps us grow.

The love and happiness the girls show everyday is inspiring.

Before having children, love was a completely different concept.

Now it is indescribable and unbreakable.

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The Oberding’s Fall Story | Wegerzyn Gardens

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

If we had to describe our family in one word, we would probably use the word “loud!”

And please don’t take this as a negative thing. There are just a lot of us.

Or at least it feels that way in most situations.

And although we are split with two boys and two girls with our children,

our house is very much a boy household.

Some evenings it’s like a WWE wrestling match.

We are just loud and rambunctious in that way.

Each of our kids have their very own distinct personality.

And they have no troubles voicing their opinion.

Our biggest challenge as a family that we are still working to overcome is probably the balance between work, activities, and home life. We feel like this is a struggle that we will keep dealing with for as long as the kids are still here with us in our home. We have gotten better as a family in saying “no” to the things that we just don’t want to do. We still are very active and have many activities, but we don’t really mind running them to those activities if it keeps them physically moving.

And as far as work, life’s too short.

We are starting to realize time is way more important than any amount of money we could make.

We wish for all of our children to have the courage to be themselves,

to be able to see both sides of the story,

and to just enjoy life.

We hope they all find a partner that they can laugh with, and be best friends with as Aaron and I have found in each other.

We hope they get to experience the crazy, wonderful,

and sometimes painful reality of being a parent because really there is nothing else like it.

It’s both the most rewarding thing and the most challenging thing we have ever done.

Dylan’s Senior Story | Ross High School | Class of 2019

Friday, October 26, 2018

Tonight, my nephew Dylan will suit up for the Ross Rams football team one last time. He’s a senior and this is his last game. I’m sure he’ll give it all he’s got and more because he’s a Caldwell and that’s just what Caldwells’ do. Good luck tonight Dylan- we couldn’t be more proud. Go Rams!

One word to describe me would be energetic

In my free time I’m either playing fortnite or playing football.

My favorite type of music is hip hop…Drake, lil baby, 21 savage

Most people don’t know that I’m very shy and I get nervous easily.

Things that get me shy or nervous would be like presentations and talking in front of large groups.

I’m more comfortable with a friend…

After I graduate I want to go to college for 4 years for either physical therapy or information technology.

In 10 years I see my self sitting on a couch with my wife and son in a wonderful house

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Hope is a Bird, A Song for Bobby

Thursday, September 20, 2018

After Bobby died he gave us a ridiculous amount of signs.

Butterflies, birds- even a solar eclipse the hour of his funeral (it was epic-just like him)!

It’s no surprise he still speaks to us, because we never stop listening.

We look for him everyday.

Today I’m sending him a sign- a song.

My mom wrote him the words and I put it to music.

I just know he’s listening…

Growing Up

Friday, September 14, 2018

David turned 12 years old last Friday and it was my first time away from him on his birthday.

I went on a girls trip (I know, I know how could I?) and left my firstborn baby boy home with Dad

to fend for himself on the day of his birth.

David survived without me (I know, I know, how could he?) and I had a great time with my friends.

I guess we’re all growing up…

Joel and Becky | Backyard Baby Bump | Omaha, Nebraska

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Everyone needs friends like Joel and Becky. Friends who send quirky Christmas cards featuring dumpsters and lumberjacks. Friends who feed their children liver popsicles and caviar. Old friends who stay in touch- who live even more Midwestern than Ohio…Nebraska!

This summer, we had the privilege of spending the 4th of July with their growing family in their new home. Like always, we spent much of the time trying to convince them to move to Ohio. But mostly we shared our “stuff” with each other…our great losses, confusion and doubt- our fear and anger.

Life has not turned out the way we once expected. Faith no longer comes easy. What a relief though, that with friends like Joel and Becky, laughter still does. Love you guys…

Welcome to the world baby Napthali:

Proud of you mama.

Caldwell Masonry and so much more…

Monday, April 30, 2018

The last time I heard Bobby’s voice was on the phone.

He called me about the logo I was working on for him. My brother was planning on opening up his own hardscaping business this spring. He wanted the “C” in Caldwell just right.

We talked for a few minutes about the logo and then spent the next half an hour talking about his boys. He had just won custody after a 5 year battle. He told me Jacob, his middle son, was a lot like him when he was a teenager. Jacob was struggling but Bobby knew he’d be ok. They were planning on enrolling Jacob in a drawing class in the fall. Bobby was always good at drawing. He actually drew the logo.

I told him I was so proud of him and what a wonderful father he was. He told me he loved me and I said I’d get the logo to him soon. I didn’t get a chance to work on the logo until a few weeks later on a Tuesday morning. I sent it to him and he texted me at 1:57pm:

YES! Nailed it

I texted back:

Great! I’ll get you the rest of the files soon…

To this he replied with a thumbs up emoji.

That evening around 6pm he was shot and killed. I never got him those files. He’ll never get to make those t-shirts and business cards and a magnet for his truck. The many people responsible for murdering my brother stole so much. They stole more than his life, they stole his future, his dreams. But they couldn’t steal everything.

They can’t steal that phone call- the last chance Bobby and I got to tell each other I love you. They can’t steal that thumbs up Bobby gave me. It goes with me wherever I go, like the twinkle in Bobby’s eye, hinting that all of life is love- even work. I thought Bobby and I were doing business together but really we were doing so much more…

Geneva State Park, Lake Erie, Ohio

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

This summer we explored Ohio’s coastline (yes there is such a thing).

We traveled up instead of down and found ourselves a beach to play in.

Because all we really need is water.

The sound of waves and children splashing.

Rocks to stack and skip, sand to squish and a sunset to sit under…

The Fink Family at Home, Clayton, Ohio

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

The Finks are old friends but they feel like family.

We’ve all known each other since Jenna and I had different last names.

When slumber parties were still ours and staying up all night was for fun.

Before we were moms and dads and wives and husbands. Before we had bills to pay and fights to resolve.

It’s hard to believe we are all grown-up.

Ok. Maybe not all of us.

Maybe some of us never age, never lose that child-like wonderful way of looking at the world,

never stop dreaming.

It’s with great love and affection that I share this chapter of the Fink’s story…

We are all or nothing.

Another word for it might be extreme…

Though being extreme is our biggest obstacle, it is also one of our greatest strengths.

It allows us to take risks others might not take.

We go all in.

We’ve moved so many times. The kids have lived in 5 different houses in 8 years.

That’s a lot but I think it also helps the kids learn to go with the flow.

Our dream is to travel in an RV for a few years and explore the U.S.

We are truly hoping to escape the rat race of more, more, more…

I’m really looking forward to quality time as a family.

Just us on an adventure…

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.

So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover.”

-Mark Twain

Julie’s Senior Story, Spring Grove Cemetary, Cincinnati, Ohio

Thursday, February 2, 2017

When I met Julie I was shocked by my own vanity. I was giddy throughout her senior session at Spring Grove because, well, as you can see, she’s gorgeous! But not only is she a beauty, she’s a survivor. She’s found a way to transform her greatest handicap into her most valuable strength: gratitude. I know the doctors say that Julie has trouble with her eyes, but to me, she has a flawless point of view. It’s with great admiration that I share this chapter of Julie’s story…

I almost went blind when I was 10.

I just wanted to know, why me?

Submersed in the world of the sick during my hospital visits- I saw the blind, I saw the children with Down syndrome, I saw the children with cancer. My situation was nothing compared to that.

I decided to let my anger and frustration go.

I realized it was futile.

To this day I am not cured…but I am better.

I am grateful to have learned what I did- to find the positive in every situation.

Over time as I’ve encountered more people, my first impressions were proven wrong time and time again.

There is always something I end up liking about people.

Because people are inherently good I suppose.

In the end, truth is the best answer.

And smiling is the easiest way to spread kindness…

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Dustin’s Senior Story, Madison High School, Class of 2017

Friday, November 11, 2016

My nephew is graduating high school. Surely I must be getting old. It’s totally worth if it means I get to watch these soft, sweet faces transform into strong, stubbly men. Dustin I’m proud of you, not only because you are a responsible guy, but because you have an incredible soul. You have “good energy.” It’s with great pride and excitement that I share Dustin’s senior story…

When I tell someone I will do something I can be depended on to do it.

I believe that you control your own destiny.

Everything I have ever wanted was put in front of me for me, myself, and I to complete.

My parents let me have a little rope to accomplish things on my own.

To make sure I am independent.

After graduation, I plan on going to going to college and pursuing a career in the medical field.

In ten years I see myself at a Buckeyes game with my dad.

Go Buckeyes!

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Long Live the Kings, A Garden Wedding, Vandalia, Ohio

Monday, October 17, 2016

Anna and Jeremy met in a Band Methods class at Wright State University in January 2013. Jeremy was learning woodwinds and Anna was learning percussion. Anna thought Jeremy was cute and quiet but didn’t think a lot of it because she had a boyfriend at the time. Jeremy thought Anna was the coolest person he had ever met. Three years later they got married…

Anna is always inspiring to me even though she doesn’t realize it. -Jeremy

She’s so strong and passionate about everything she does. -Jeremy

Jeremy has the power to be able to talk to anyone and be friends with anyone. -Anna

Wherever he goes, he is always having a good time! -Anna

I hope our wedding day is relaxed, fun and bright. -Anna

Anna is the best thing that ever happened to me. -Jeremy

She’s my best friend. -Jeremy

Jeremy understands everything that I am. -Anna

Our greatest strength as a couple is laughter. -The Kings

I hope our wedding day includes fun, laughter and memories. -Jeremy

Our dream is to live a life together full of travel and love. -Anna

In ten years, I’m thinking we will both have full time jobs, be living in a house,

and maybe have a few little ones… -Jeremy

Eleven Years and Monterey

Friday, September 23, 2016

Josh finally took me to Monterey.

If you’ve known us a long time, you understand how patient I’ve been.

But the wait was worth it and if eleven years of marriage took us to Monterey, I wonder where 22 years will take us?

Thanks for taking me to cool places babe…NorCal rules!

Ella Mae turns 10 | Skateworld, Kettering, Ohio

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Ella Mae turned 10 this year.

Ella and her family are those effortless kind of friends- the kind we can go without seeing for months to almost years and still pick up right where we left off. The kind we always invite to our kids birthday parties because it’s an excuse to get together and it wouldn’t feel right without them there.

When we got the invite to Ella’s party this year, and I saw it was at Skateworld, I thought it might be a fun challenge for me to photograph her moment. Skating rinks are terribly dark and black lights are definitely NOT as psychedelic on camera as they are in person, but I’m learning that memories don’t wait for ideal conditions.

The moments worth remembering are often as forgiving and unfussy as our family friends. We invite them back, year after year…