My Best Friend

  

In my life I've been blessed with the best of friends. Each woman had a profound impact on my life and whether we are as close as we once were, there is no doubt that they helped me become who I am. Through thick and thin, a best friend is always there for you. They are the greatest blessing anyone can have in their life and accepts us as who we are yet helps us to become what we should be. There is a quote that I really like and it says, "A good friend knows all your best stories, a best friend has lived them with you."

       

I remember the countless sleepovers through high school eating pizza and watching bring it on waiting for one of my best friends to fall asleep so em and another best friend could hijack the little sleeper's car only to be pulled over by the police, watching Bring It On so that one of my best friends will fall asleep so that another best friend and I could hijack the little sleeper's car only to be pulled over by the police, watching Cinderella and getting ready for Prom, routing me on in all my endeavors, making fun of arch nemesis-es who stare out windows and hopelessly trying to out bake a roommates cookies, dancing atop kitchen counters, having "talks", going on doubles, being thrown an incredible birthday party complete with goodies and cake, living a real life better than The Office office experience, partying up with the most awesome co-workers in whatever theme was planned for that night, having someone just being there to listen, and countless other memories


  

Unfortunately it is never quite until a moment has passed that you truly appreciate something wonderful. I wish I had expressed to my best friends how important they were to me, how I looked up to and admired their strengths, gratefulness for the kindness they showed me, and blessing me with their presence in my life. Though I didn't say all that I could have then, I hope that they all know just how important and wonderful they are and that I am so so so grateful to have had them as a best friend.


      

So I want to say, Thank you! Thank you for the laughs, joys, highs, support during the lows, all you did for me and all that you didn't. With some I wish we had kept better in touch, others I'm so glad that you are in my life making it all the better. I hope that you will know just important and special you are to me. I could go on and on about how each of you are incredible women that I can only hope to one day become. I know that you bless the lives of countless people you touch because you have touched mine. And just in case you missed it along the way, THANK YOU for being my best friend.       

 

Just a Glimpse of the Engagements

I am actually an incredibly private person when it comes to personal things. I feel like I'm not alone when I say this. Though at times I can be incredibly vocal, this doesn't mean that I want to discuss every bit of my life. They call it "personal" for a reason. After being able to hoard the beautiful pictures that our photographer Kelli Dee Mortensen took, I decided that I am finally comfortable sharing just a glimpse of the engagements.



It was an old picture of my parents that inspired my "Engagements". They were on the shores of Japan playing in the water and looking absolutely in love. When the time came for me to be taking my engagements, I pictured them and decided that I wanted something similar. This is why we decided to take our pictures along Utah Lake off Provo Center Street.



The shores are definitely not as pristine as one might hope but it honestly didn't matter. When I arrived for the shoot, I was frazzled and stressed. Getting ready had been a challenge and I hated how I looked. However once we got there and started playing in the water, I completely forgot about my frustrations and just had fun.


For anyone that might be uncomfortable posing for pictures, I recommend getting your pictures in a setting where you can play. I can smile just fine for pictures but being in the lake really made the whole experience FUN.



A good majority of my pictures are not Vogue worthy. They don't capture images of a couple oozing with sophistication and elegance. Instead my pictures are relaxed, goofy, happy, loving, and natural.



In my parent's pictures, they were all done in black and white. Its a look that I don't see too often in a couple's engagement pictures. Now a days there are so many different edits you can use on your pictures that make them very unique. Still, I wanted more of a timeless look and asked Kelli if we could get some in black and white.



During our engagement session, we got a good mix between more posed pictures and natural shots.



Of course I like to think that all the pictures were natural and not posed but then what couple is ever standing the ideal distance apart from each other looking in love and looking perfecting into the camera? Pretty much just William and Kate.



The surrounding area near the Utah Lake Marina is incredible. Everywhere you look its green. It was beautiful! We found a grove of trees that were kind of bent at weird angles. I couldn't help but climb one.



If you don't want to commit to a "beachy look" for your engagements, I highly recommend exploring the surrounding areas of the Marina. We were literally what I consider half a block away from Utah Lake State Park (the Marina).



I loved every bit of my Engagements Photo Session. I had a blast playing with Luke in the lake. Kelli was an awesome photographer really making me feel comfortable. I also had my friend Ally there as moral support; she is the best!



For anyone thinking about getting any kind of formal pictures taken I would definitely recommend the Utah Lake State Park and Marina. Even if you don't want to play in the water, the surrounding wildlife is breathtaking. I was amazed at all the beauty found so close to Provo! And for any of you who are wondering, "The Engagement Picture" is not among the bunch. You'll just have to look out for it in the mail!