“It’s not happening to you, it is happening for you.”

Gratitude  //  

After two days full of photography fun with Kait and Adam and their AMAZING families, I woke up on Sunday bright eyed and ready to start the day! Crazy enough I was feeling more refreshed than ever, but my body was definitely aching as it usually does after a wedding day (that 70-200 lens definitely gives me a workout! ;) ). Ryan was still sleeping peacefully… so I flipped the TV on for some low background noise and started culling the photos from Kait and Adam’s big day! I couldn’t wait! ;)

As the TV came on, I was greeted by Joel Osteen preaching on a random channel that I am pretty sure we have never seen before. I really wanted to change the channel to the Today Show ;), but something in my heart made me stay and listen. The first words I heard him say were, “It’s not happening to you, it is happening for you.”

Joel went on and shared some stories of challenging events in his life that have led him to some of the most AMAZING moments. In the thick of hard times and challenging moments, it is so easy to question things and take the “why me” approach. However, even when it is not obvious or visible at the time, God is working wonders and has a plan. Always.

There are plenty of examples of this in our lives (both big challenging life-changing situations and smaller questioning everyday moments) and it is so incredible to look back and see where God’s plan has led us. In every situation, there always seems to be an outcome that is so much greater than we ever could have imagined.

This past weekend, we celebrated one of the most AMAZING wedding weekends with such an incredible group of people. Seriously, Kait and Adam’s family have touched our hearts in such a special way and we are so grateful to have had the chance to be there to capture this AMAZING time in their lives! So grateful!!!

The importance of our job as photographers and memory capturers became even clearer for us this weekend! On Saturday, our good friends Natalie and Huey also got married! As excited as we were for Kait and Adam’s wedding!!! (and believe me, excited doesn’t even describe it! ;) ) leading up to Saturday, we secretly wished we could be in two places at the same time so that we could be there for Natalie and Huey too! This little challenge, that seemed so big in our hearts at times, was one of those examples where “it was happening for us.” By not being at Natalie and Huey’s wedding, we were reminded of just how important our job as photographers and documenters truly is!

Days before Kait and Adam’s wedding weekend began, they had a few friends and family who could no longer make it. Every time Kait shared that with us, our hearts exploded knowing we have the opportunity to provide them with the pictures that will make them feel like they were a part of it! Photos have a way of taking people right into the moment… emotions and all! We met up with Natalie and Huey on Monday to celebrate with them on their way to their honeymoon! ;) As they described the most magical day of their lives and shared the few photos they already had from the AMAZING Katelyn James, our goosebumps were HUGE and the happy tears filled our eyes! Memories are so incredibly important and how special it is that we get to capture them and make them permenant!?!?

On Saturday morning, Ryan and I had more excitement than ever to document Kait and Adam’s day in such a special way! Seriously, before we even left our room, we removed our game faces and slapped each other high five and said “Let’s rock this out!” ;) We were definitely documenting it for Kait and Adam and their family and friends who were there… but a special place in our hearts definitely gave us extra energy and excitement to rock it out for all of those who could not be physically present that day!

We are so grateful for the way God works and for those subtle (or not so subtle! ;) ) reminders of “It’s not happening to you, it is happening for you.”

Bride and Father First Look Photo by Liz and Ryan Photo

We could not be more excited to share Kait and Adam’s wedding memories with you tomorrow!!!! ;) Definitely check back… there is AMAZINGNESS to be seen! ;)