tommy & emily: married.

**click on the shopping cart (below the pictures, in the black box) and click on Tommy and Emily's last names to view and order photos from the wedding**

PART ONE: A few years ago I recall talking to my mom about her new neighbors next door. Growing up on a farm without neighbors, we weren't sure exactly the relationships they could begin to bring about. While my mom had met and spoken to several of the other neighbors while grabbing the mail or just being out in the yard, she had never had that real neighborly feeling we always used to think came from having such people living next to you. That was until Carolyn and Lou moved in. I'm still not quite sure exactly how this God given friendship formed, but I thank Him for bringing such caring and giving people into my mom's life. These new neighbors soon filled that 'neighborly feeling' my mom had always spoken about, and I can honestly say they are more than neighbors to my mom. Carolyn and Lou, I'm so thankful for you both and for being so completely giving of yourselves and your time and energy into just being neighbors to my mom. You may not know the impact that you have on just 'being' someone next door. Your energy and warmth is contagious Carolyn and I really appreciate you taking the time to get to know my mom...

PART TWO:...So at sometime it was only natural that I meet this infamous Carolyn and when I did, it was easy to see how my mom thought she was so much fun! And later she learned that I was a wedding photographer, and soon after that, the gorgeous Emily entered the picture. I had heard so much about her, but it was not until sometime after my sister got married in December, that I had the opportunity to meet this Emily, and her fiance Tommy. I still remember them all coming over one evening to my mom's house...they braved the 25 foot distance through the grasses that lay between my mom's house and theirs, and entered the house, where I believe Emily and Tommy and I all sat on the floor and we passed around my sister's album and watched her slideshow I had made. I remember thinking, these two would be so fun to photograph...Emily would talk, and Tommy would just stare at her, so intune to what she was saying. Every word she spoke was so important to him. And they would smile at each other in just such a way that you just knew they were so perfect for each other.

And over the past few months and through this entire experience, I have grown to understand the reasons's why mom thinks the world of her neighbors. I myself have even the privelage to remove 'neighbor' from my vocabulary, and replace it with 'friend'...or Thelma...or Louise...I'm not sure which one I get to be!...But these are the times I am so thankful to be doing this work. To be in a position to meet new friends, and to hang on to those friendships and to be able to photograph such events that are so life changing in people's lives.

It was such an honor to photograph this wedding. You may not know it Emily, but your wedding was as close as my own sister's wedding that I photographed as well. The day was so important to me because I knew that it was so important to your parents, and they knew how important it was for you and for Tommy. I didn't sleep much the night before, and had monstorous butterflies that morning too! You and Tommy were just too much fun to be around the entire day. Thanks for allowing me to hall furniture outside and for putting up with my camera in your face for awhile. I loved how your ceremony and parts of your reception brought back some of those looks that I first remembered you giving each other while we sat on my mom's floor the day we met. So adorable. Thank you for allowing me to be a part and do what I do best, and document your day. You both have such great families...I've NEVER seen a dancefloor so full and roudy!!! Man can you guys put Dancing With The Stars to shame! Tommy, I can't thank your parents enough, especially your mom, for the beautiful rehearsal dinner that I'm sure she worked so hard making it just right for the evening. Every detail was wonderfully in place and it was great to stand back and watch your families interact with each other while I photographed. I appreciate you allowing me to be a part and I even got my own place card! Hooray!

And Emily, I can't leave this story without adding this....I think your eyes are just BEAUTIFUL...and Dodie, darling you know I LOVE YOU...but I think you put our dear friend Jean to shame! Your video work girl was phenominal! hahaha

**Tommy and Emily, I wish you both everything in life...call me when you get small children...**

































**I have now had the pleasure of photographing Doug and Dodie, and Tommy and Emily...you and your friends are all so much fun and you all keep me laughing! I only hope to be able to do it all again one day!

h2o.

I believe that somewhere between "I do", and "You may now kiss your bride", WATER, became the word of the day. I'm currently drinking a nice, tall glass of the clear stuff...in the comfort of my air conditioned home. My feet are up and I'm sifting through images from the extremely fun day I had with William and Lyndsay. It was such a warm, humid day, and water became the center of attention for awhile. While we all stayed nice and hydrated in the extreme heat, we were able to walk away with so many great moments from the day. I can't wait to show you more...I'm on the edge of my seat...with my water close!

**ok ok, I just couldn't help myslef...how cute are these little water chugs!

danny & alicia: married.

It was somewhere just after Alicia made her stroll down the isle wih her dad to her right, and the releasing of her to her Danny. She had made it to the front of the church with many tears, and now she was standing next to her soon to be husband. I stayed a moment in my seat with camera close to my eyes, near the front of the sanctuary, then headed to the back to switch lenses and continue with my shooting. It was at that moment that I saw my sister, who I had brought along for assisting that day. She was crying and for a second I almost thought she was laughing, and I quietly snapped my finger at her and said, "oh would you get it together!"...She was indeed crying. But as she wiped away a couple more tears and I was in mid lens switch, she whispered, "it's not because it's sad, it's because of the DOGS!!!"

Now people, anyone who knows me, knows how much I don't just like animals, but I LOVE them, each and every one. The chubbier the furrier the better! Oh how I could just squeeze and squeeze them and love them to pieces!

You might remember Danny & Alicia from this post: http://bodellphotography.blogspot.com/2008/06/girlfriend-and-vito.html or this post: http://bodellphotography.blogspot.com/2008/06/danny-alicia-in-love.html. It should come as no surprise that these two cherish their rolly polly babies, even if they come with waggy tails, small ears, big tongues, and 4 legs. Vito and Kaya are just beyond words in the cute department! It should come as no surprise that these two should make an appearance during the ceremony. After all, isn't it completely important to have your nearest and dearest accompany you at the most important day in your lives!

So back to my sister crying, just before Alicia made her treck to the front where Danny was waiting her, Vito and Kaya were ushered in and made a loop down the isle, and up through another one, where they quietly exited, making sure not to cause such a large scene. Who knew they would have such an impact on a wedding day! Who knew they would make the guests tear up and the assistant to the wedding photographer laugh so hard she cried! It goes down as one of my most memorable ceremony moments ever!

Vito and Kaya, and Alicia and Danny, you all will NEVER be forgotten! I love love LOVE you all and am so glad we have become more than just clients and vendors during this entire process. I love that you cried upon seeing Danny for the first time, Alicia, and I love how you reached over to touch her hair for a second, while we were taking pictures, Danny. You both are so perfectly made for each other and I am honored to have shared such moments on your wedding day. Continue making each other laugh, and don't forget to keep me updated on your 4 legged kids! I'm gonna have to add them to the Christmas card list! I wish you all the love in the world! Enjoy your photos!

**click on the shopping cart (below the pictures, in the black box) and click on Danny and Alicia's last names to view and order photos from the wedding**

bff.

Although my back aches and my feet are throbbing, nothing can hold me back from sifting through some images from another priceless day. I just got home from spending a beautiful day and a rockin party with some of the sweetest most genuinely sincere people. What a completely histerical and amazingly fun crowd! I just adopted 2 or 3 HUNDRED new best friends forever!

And because I have the most gifted assistant in the galaxy...we were able to document the day like this...

**Cyli, you NEVER cease to amaze me!

move over beckham.

That's right Posh. There's a new kid on the field and this one's fierce.

Crossing my fingers behind my back and currently hoping Number 30 thinks this post is totally major cool and not utterly embarassing, allow me to share my first experience as an "Aunt" of a kid playing her first soccer game on a real team in high school.

The sky looked as if though at any minute it could open up and pelt the kids to death with monstrous cold hard rain beads,and my sister assured me that Number 30 plays better in the rain. It wasn't exactly my niece or the other kids I was worried about, so much as my lens. The one we ALL so refer to as, The Baby. Nearing the ticket chick who collects your moolah and allows you access to this phenomonon they call 'a friendly game of soccer', I felt confident that The Baby is made of some kick a#$ materials and I would be fine if some drops of precip came near. My sister and the world's most adorable cheerleader...so she may not actually be a cheerleader, but hey, when you play on any team at Mooresville High, and you have little cute sisters, they are all cheerleaders...went to sit up in the bleachers and assume soccer mom duties. With the 'Baby' in hand, I drew her near to my face, scrunched my face and closed my left eye, held down the shutter release and began my search for Number 30. Like a missle on lockdown, I spotted her, Number 30 in all her glory. Fierce.

It was all I could do to swallow the huge lump in my throat, as the ball flew her way and she began the chase. Like a cat on a mouse, but with a much cuter pony tail of course, and cute shoes, (er, uh, cleets,...how do you even spell that?!) Number 30 played the majority of the game, and I took on my usual role as a fabulos-itous paparotzo. The Baby and I do make a great team. But I do wish I had those muscles in my legs like Number 30, shoot! Mooresville didn't win their first experience of the year, however there are many more games to be played and I'll be on the sidelines to document them ALL. That's what a good Aunt does right?! At least we fix the hair and make the pony tails ROCK! Beckham's got nothing on us there!

**love you Cyli!

danny & alicia. just one.

Alicia, darling, you're still in the running for becoming America's Next Top Model.



**We just got home from a BEAUTIFUL day and I promised you just one tonight! SOOooo MANY MORE to come!