In the Name of Love & Other Things {Part 3}

Valentines Day. Some of us love it. Some of us hate it. Some of us are indifferent. Either way, there is a day, and that day is focused on love. Today is the last day I will be sharing some thoughts of love.

Happy Valentines Day! This is the day we've all been waiting for either with anticipation or with dread. Tonight I'm going to see fireworks set to music over the frozen lake with my family {my true loves}. But first, today's edition will be focusing on the beautiful components of love.

• It brings out the best in people.
• It is inspirational.
• It is wonderful to experience.
• It is a blessing to watch.
• It teaches us about our heavenly relationship.
• It promotes peace and unselfishness.
• It grows healthy people.

We've already established love is sad and difficult, but it can be so much more and better than that. It can be our life motto. It can be our driving force. It can be the fruits of our labour. So whether you are living romantic love, family love, friendship love, spiritual love, or many more types of love, strive everyday to become better at loving. Because sometimes love is beautiful.

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In the Name of Love & Other Things {Part 2}

Valentines Day. Some of us love it. Some of us hate it. Some of us are indifferent. Either way, there is a day, and that day is focused on love. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, I am sharing some thoughts about love.

Today's edition will be focusing on the unrealistic expectations of love.

• It is not all-fulfilling.
• It is not the reason for living.
• It is imperfect.
• It makes mistakes.
• It requires more forgiveness than we prepare for.
• It requires constant work.
• It will disappoint us.

Someone once told me that love and marriage are hard work, because if we don't work at it, we will lose it. This same person said that it is easy to love our children and work at those relationships. But as for our spouses, that love is not always easy. But Lord-willing, we strive everyday to become better at loving. Because sometimes love is unrealistic.

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In the Name of Love & Other Things {Part 1}

Valentines Day. Some of us love it. Some of us hate it. Some of us are indifferent. Either way, there is a day, and that day is focused on love. So for the next three days, I will be sharing some thoughts about love.

Today's edition will be focusing more on the sad parts of love in this world.

• When people sacrifice character or values or morals or beliefs in the name of love.
• When people feel negatively pressured in the name of love.
• When something that was once love can turn into something so closely resembling hate.
• When human love isn't enough. 
• When people feel unlovable. 
• When love isn't returned. 
• When love is conditional.

True love isn't attainable in this world. There I said it. We are human. We are selfish. We are imperfect. But Lord-willing, we strive everyday to become better at loving. Because sometimes love is sad.

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No. 364 - Embrace Your Surroundings

Can you believe that this is the second last photograph? Since I've already known what my last picture would be for some time now, I thought it only fitting that the second to last would include my family.

This is my family. They are my best friends, biggest supporters, favourite people, most valued influence, and I could go on. However, living with these two has shown me the value of embracing the time when you have it. I did not always have the opportunity to live in the same household as either Dad or Brother, so lately, I've been really trying to make a conscious effort to enjoy living with them now. 

And it pays off. I love being around them, and they can make me laugh like no other. They put up with all my crazy crafty hippie shenanigans. And in turn, I get unparalleled support. So, I'm taking this time {and I encourage you too} to embrace my surroundings. Here are some other shots from the family dinner.

LAST PICTURE TOMORROW! WOOT WOOT!

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No. 348 - C & B

I got the privilege of photographing a couple this past weekend.

For the purposes of privacy, I won't be posting names & faces,
but let me just say, it was a beautiful shoot!

Thanks, C & B, for letting me capture moments of your relationship :)

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No. 347 - Emily & ???

{Spoilers Ahead}

Wow, and I mean, . . . wow.

Now, I know there are plenty of speculations about all the stupid-ness & dis-reality of The Bachelorette/Bachelor franchise {99% true}, but if there ever was a redemption, it was Emily's season.

And . . . SHE CHOSE JEF!

Jef was the guy I was "rooting for" right from day one. When he rolled up on that skateboard with that hair, I was like . . . yep, he's awesome.

Every date they had, my skepticism fell away and I began believing, "This could actually work". 

Then it turned into, "I'm really scared it won't work".

And finally ended in, "YES, it actually worked!"

Last night's season finale when Jef met Rikki {Emily's daughter}, I knew that that relationship could not be more right. Yes, it was difficult and awkward when she "broke up" with Arie, but I respect her so much for how she handled the situation.

And, you should have seen me {or maybe it's better that you didn't}, because this girl was definitely crying happy tears when Jef knelt down and proposed. Happy, happy, happy tears.

So call me crazy, call me delusional, call me a hopeless romantic, call me maybe {whups, wrong scene}, but I wish all the best and every happiness to JEF & EMILY ♥

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No. 99 - Two Engagements

It's been a week of love.

Chris & Charity

Carlo & Reba

No. 96 - All You Need Is Love

Satine: Besides, I can't fall in love with anyone.

Christian: Can't fall in love? But, a life without love . . . that's terrible!

Satine: No, being on the street, that's terrible.

Christian: No! Love is like oxygen!

Satine: What?

Christian: Love is a many splendored thing. 

Love lifts us up where we belong. All you need is love!

Satine: Please don't start that again.

Christian: All you need is love!

Satine: A girl has got to eat.

Christian: All you need is love!

Satine: She'll end up on the street.

Christian: All you need is love!

Pursuit

Sometimes Paul Brandt's lyrics say it all:

♫

I’d rather burn with desire deep in my soul,

And love like a fire that’s out of control, and laugh and dance and hope 

and chance and kiss

I’d rather live my whole life

with a sense of abandon,

Squeeze every drop out,

no matter what happens.

And not wonder what I've missed

I’d rather risk.

♫

What is it about risk that scares humanity so much? We would rather criticize life and its components from the safety of a computer screen. I am not promoting protests, but at least they are risking their life, reputation, and safety for something they passionately believe in. What about creativity? Yesterday I watched a couple of my friends get up onto a stage and compete in a local talent show. They risked humiliation, criticism, and comfort in order to be vulnerable in an area of their life they were passionate about. So often we are content to let a select few be creative for us because it's too personal to reveal the passion inside.

I don't understand it, but I'm a victim to it.

What about love? True love and relationships take ultimate risk. It takes incredible strength for a man to risk it all when he asks a woman out. It takes a large amount of trust for a woman to risk her heart by saying yes. It takes risk to purse a Godly relationship in the current day and age. What about communication? How vulnerable is it to let someone you love so much see that far into your soul? Into the terrible parts, but only there can beauty be found and restored.

Pursue risk.

White Horse

♫

This ain't Hollywood

This is a small town

♫

                                                                                    ~ T. Swift ~