Real. Life.

I have been teaching the world's most incredible group of soul-shaking students this summer. These women are beyond talented and brave and being their teacher is completely knocking my socks off. I always do the homework along side of them, and this one was on perspective.

Here's what I love about these images: they are real.

Her face is stained and dirty from a day of eating blueberries and making mud pies.  Her handmade crown and secondhand thrift store dress are crooked and sideways and wrinkled. There was no cleaning of the house or moving things around.

As I was folding laundry, I looked over at her, coloring in the middle of the kitchen floor with her baby blanket by her side, and that was that.

Struggling with her tangled curls. Holding up her most favorite treat that she calls "white coke."

These moments are organic, and human and completely imperfect. And that is why I adore them so.

Real life is the most gorgeous thing I have ever seen. Ever.

 

 

A Wedding Permission Slip

I hereby grant you permission to have the wedding of your dreams.

I grant you permission to never, ever step foot in a wedding Expo.

I grant you permission to have your "church" be the forest, and your "minister" your fiancee's best friend.

I grant you permission to ask your great Aunt Mildred to sing during your ceremony. Even though she is tone deaf.

I grant you permission to close the magazines.

I grant you permission to daydream under a backyard tree.

I grant you permission to shut off your phone.

I grant you permission to let go of the shoulds.

I grant you permission to wear a bright pink sequins dress. Or a white pillowcase handmade slip. A veil made of antique lace or a crown of dandelions.

I grant you permission to go barefoot.

I grant you permission to do what makes your heart sing, and forget the rest.

I grant you permission to celebrate your beautiful, authentic love story.

 

My Heart

From my journal this morning...

I believe that, despite all of the materialistic and conforming messages being thrown at us from every direction, the soul-filled and sacred magic of weddings still exists. And I believe that telling those authentic and meaningful stories is incredibly and completely important.

Katie and Tom

This weekend, out of nowhere, it began to pour. The back steps of the Capital Building were the perfect place for these two love birds to stay dry.

A little peek...