I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again — writing about friends is an exponentially harder task! When Mark and Emily asked me to photograph their second anniversary this year, I actually started thinking right then about what I would write on their blog post. It sounds silly, but these two people mean so much to me that I knew I would never be able to say everything I wanted in this one post. 

Emily initiated our first date after realizing we were both Washington, DC photographers, shared the same amazing wedding florist, and lived just a few minutes apart! It didn’t take long for us to become fast friends, because, well, Emily wouldn’t have had it any other way (which she knows is why I love her!). Our coffee dates slowly turned into dinners with our husbands and before long, it seemed like we found ourselves at each other’s house at least once a week. While we initially bonded over photography, it’s certainly become so much more over the past year as cheer each other on during our struggles and celebrate the victories. Emily is that fiercely loyal friend that you always want to have on your side and I am lucky to say I do. 

But, I digress, as I usually do! For this post isn’t about my relationship with Emily, but instead about her and her husband, Mark, who are celebrating their second anniversary.  Their second year of marriage has been one full of tests, to say the least. Straight out of dental school, Mark always knew he wanted to own his own practice. Many dentists take years to reach this goal, but for him, he got started right away. It hasn’t always been easy, but as his business continues to grow, they both knew an office renovation was in order. As a two week project quickly turned into six, they found themselves overcoming challenge after challenge together. And you know what? In spite of it all, not once did their faith in each other falter – in the Prince William County Government, absolutely, but not in each other. This might sound trivial to an outsider, but watching these two work through hurdle after hurdle made it clear they were more than just husband and wife; they are partners who will be there through thick and thin. Partners who will put their lives on hold for the other when necessary and who will find ways to make each other laugh through the hard times. 

I am SO lucky to call these two friends. You know I love you both so, so much and thank you for allowing me to capture year 2!