I remember the night we met; it was shortly after our move to Minnesota and, in typical Minneapolis fashion, it was freezing outside. It was the first time I was going to meet Matt’s law school friends and, in typical Melissa fashion, I has spent way more time on my hair than the situation warranted. As my husband greeted his friends, a gorgeous strawberry-blonde with the warmest smile I had ever seen stuck her hand out to shake mine and said something along the lines of, “I’m Carrie and I’m so sorry we’re late. My hair was not cooperating.” Enter Trevor who leans in and hugs me as a hello, nice to meet you and from that moment on I was totally smitten with them.

Three years, one law school diploma and many (many) Wii Bowling Tournaments later, Carrie called me to let me know they were engaged and I could not have been happier for our two friends who love each other with so much passion it makes most people look like amateurs.

Love you both a lot.

i’m yours,
melissa

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As Kenny whispered, “I love you” just above Megan’s shoulder, her face turned ever-so-slighty in his direction and she smiled softly and whispered “I love you too”. It occured to me in that moment, if I had blinked I would have missed it; the scene happened so fast and in such a natural way that it was clear it really wasn’t meant for my benefit. They weren’t acting because I had a camera in my hands; they were doing what they always do and that was simply to love one another.

Those are the moments I live for; the moments that, everytime, stop me in my tracks and make my heart explode.

Megan & Kenny reminded me of my passion. Together they brought back the heart pounding that literally floods my ears and brings tears to my eyes and I will never be able to thank them enough for that.

Location: Walker Art Center & Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

i’m yours,
melissa

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I made a promise with myself this year that I would only book weddings & couples that I had an honest and true connection with; not because the connection was lacking with my 2009 couples but because, by the grace of God, I had formed a deep and heartfelt friendship with the bride and groom for every single wedding. For me, that connection has become an integral part of my success and quite frankly, adoration over the images I produce.

Well, I love Kristina & Rob; dotting-my-i’s-with-hearts-and-using-bubbly-exclamation-points kind of love. I first met them for a late morning breakfast and over french toast and coffee and we laughed together for almost THREE HOURS. We clicked like peanut butter and jelly. They told me how they first met, how Rob proposed and what they dreamed their wedding to be. (It’s going to be amazing, in case you are wondering…) I fell in love with the way Rob looks at Kristina, the way she rests her head on her hand, Rob’s hair color (redheads unite!) and the fact that at the end of the day they just want to be with each other. They pretty much rock.

Does anyone know how hard it is for 2 Fuji Instax pictures to develop in 30 degree temps? WE DO! (Totally worth it.) i’m yours,
melissa

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It’s for certain, my favorite thing about Jessica and Jon is that they laugh together – a lot. Not small, polite laughter but real genuine you-are-the-funniest-person-in-the-world laughter. And it was cold. Really cold. Like 18 degrees Minnesota cold. But THIS is why I have the best clients in the world – they don’t even look cold. They laughed and cuddled and kissed as if they were in the tropics. (If I were cheesy, I would say their love keeps them warm but, you know, I’m not cheesy. So. Prettysuretheirlovekeepsthemwarm.)

If Jessica & Jon look familiar, we did a fall engagement session in October. See how awesome they are? Fall engagements, winter engagements…bring on the spring.

i’m yours,
melissa

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It sounded cliche, even to him, but the first time he saw her smile it sent cupid’s arrow straight through his heart and at that moment Ryan knew that he would one day hold Keri in his arms and call her wife. They saw each other almost daily at their shared workplace but it wasn’t until they were paired as mentor leaders in a classroom miles away from the office that the sparks started to fly.

Keri & Ryan gave me such a vivid picture of love; they are a pair that would walk to the end of the earth if that’s what it took to be together.

I think the giant lollipop might be my favorite prop yet.

Remember how these two are/were mentors when they fell in love? Well, their kiddos drew these pictures of them. I think they nailed Keri’s rosy cheeks and Ryan’s blue eyes.

Love these two shots; love them. It’s a circle of love.

i’m yours,
melissa