"Oooooh, SO cute!" "OMG, you two are precious!" "Okay, just one more!" Were some of the many words of affirmation and admiration that I was spewing at Katie and Cade (God bless them for their patience with me) as we braved the heat of the day. It was, as I like to call it, spicy outside. The sun was beaming so bright, it had to be matching the joy radiating from K & C. But it was a beautiful day nonetheless. It was just the three of us. And the world felt like it had stopped around us. We were standing in the shade with the beautiful brick of the church behind us. I had just finished taking pictures of Katie and all of her bridal beauty. I told her that she could take a smile break so I could snap some photos of her new hubby. Cade smiled for a few photos. And then, being the jokester that he is, proceeded to smize at the camera with his best duck face because Katie told him to look GQ. He did so very well if I may say so myself. We all laughed, and then I told him to look over at his wife. (By the way, this small prompt always brings out THE best smiles from the newlyweds. Nothing quite like it.) Without any hesitation, Cade beamed from ear to ear and said, "Wow, she's beautiful." Katie blushed a little and smiled back at him in thanks. And I had to gather myself because my heart had melted into a puddle at my feet. HOW SWEET IS THIS MOMENT?!
I love this interaction between Katie and Cade because it shows just how crazy in love these two are. They wore nothing but smiles and shared all the giggles throughout their entire ceremony and the rest of the day. They held hands every chance they got. And looked for each other in the crowd whenever they weren't together. They were over the moon that they were finally married. I even have a photo of them walking down the aisle with their hands in the air mid celebratory cheer while Katie said something along the lines of "WE FINALLY DID IT!" Talk about genuine excitement. Katie and Cade aren't afraid to show their love and affection for one another. And that's admirable. Nothing else matters except that they are together. And from what I know about them, they truly bring out the best in one another. They love and support each other endlessly. They both have easygoing, joyful personalities that truly mesh SO well. And this day was a testament to all of this and more. A smaller celebration filled with so much love and happiness you would have thought that they had filled all the seats in the pews of the church. This moment where Cade immediately showered Katie with love and affection is also a beautiful reminder to always be this way with your better half. It's these small gestures, -- the adoring compliments, the gentle handholding, the never-ending "I love you's"-- that take up the biggest spaces in a person's heart. It's remembering why you fell in love with your person in the first place and never letting that spark fly. And, honestly, I can already tell that Katie and Cade will keep their chemistry alive forever. Their joyful, loving, and incredibly kind hearts speak for themselves on this one. In that same breath, I can't help but reflect on the love and kindness that Katie and Cade exude. They are a perfect reminder of what it means to love unconditionally and to find joy in every moment.
Katie and Cade, wow, thank you so much for letting me be a tiny part of your beautiful day. It was a day that was filled with so much contagious laughter, many tender moments, and a love so palpable, it was impossible not to be moved by it. I am in awe when I sit and think about the ability you have to bring light and laughter into the lives of everyone around you. I can say that confidently, because I experienced it firsthand. Capturing your day was an honor and a joy. But being able to witness your love first hand and to be welcomed so warmly by you was such a blessing. I can't help but have an overwhelmingly full heart being able to watch your beautiful story unfold. Here's to a lifetime of happiness, laughter, and endless love!
