Jon & Shannon Engaged: From snowstorms to rainbows

Last night Michael and I celebrated our one year anniversary with a quiet night in. I wanted to be rested and ready for a very important engagement session today. The batteries were charged, equipment packed, research and notes taken and directions noted.

My cousin Jonathan and I were very close growing up. We are a year apart and were always very mischevious together. My grandmother would often remind us of a story where she was babysitting us and she was upstairs working on her Mary Kay business. Jon and I took every roll of toilet paper in her house and wrapped it over every single thing we could find, all the while giggling. We ran down the street at the sound of her booming voice that she was going to find us and tell our parents what rotten thing we did. We laugh about it now but that day we hid in a gulley as small children do when they know they are going to get in trouble.

As the years went on, our lives moved in different directions; he lived in Barrie and I lived in Toronto. We now find ourselves in close proximity and in similar stages of our lives once again.

In the summer, we were introduced to a lovely lady named Shannon whom in comparison to Jon, was as tiny as he was tall. They gazed into each other's eyes which cast that special catchlight that only new love will bring.

When we found out Jon and Shannon were engaged, I asked them if I could be so privileged to take some engagement photos of them. They were thrilled as was I and we planned our day in Bloor West Village today. This is where they live, where they had their first date and where they will spend the next few weeks until they move to a new place called home.

The skies were blue, the sun was shining and as I approached the highway, it became an absolute white out blizzard. The news reports said that a huge storm was on it's way and had taken everyone by surprise. In fact, the weather channel reported that there hadn't been this much snow forecasted in 2 years. Of course this was just my luck. I had a choice whether or not I wanted to carry on and well, you know the rest.

The streets of Bloor West were alive and electric and the rays of the sun reflected diamonds across the snow covered trees and store fronts. We all braved the cold and got some magical photos in which I hope they will be able to remember this wonderful and exciting time of their lives.

We sat and had lunch at a local pub and I asked them both what their vision was for their wedding. Like most couples, there are way too many components to ensure things go smoothly and by the end of it all, you realize you've changed your mind a million times. The only thing Jon mentioned he wanted, was for Shannon to be happy. In a matter of fact tone, that's what he reiterated the entire day.

Shannon and Jonathan, we all wish you a lifetime of love, happiness and joy together. You've both overcome many obstacles in life, but like today's weather, if you can fight your way through the snowstorms, you'll be guaranteed a rainbow at the end of it all.

I love you both! Never have I met two people more appreciative of whatever you give them! Here are a few photos from today. The rest will be posted to my Wendy Alana Photography Facebook page and of course the original images are much clearer. You might want to turn up the sound for this one!

Love,

Wendy

January 7th

One year ago today was the happiest day of my life. In front of God and our witnesses, we were wed at sunset in Mexico. On our anniversary, there is no sun or beach but it doesn't mean we can't celebrate in our sombreros.

Happy Anniversary to the best husband in the world!!

One

On the eve of my one year wedding anniversary, I am so thankful, grateful, happy and most importantly in love. To my amazing husband, I could never have asked for a more special life with someone. You make me feel like the only person in the world and specifically your world.

Once a cynic and never one to want to make that ever-so-important commitment of matrimony, I now realize it's no longer "cool" to pretend I loved being alone, to pretend that I'm stronger as one and not two, to pretend that I never wanted to meet that magical someone.

I'll never lose my identity as one, for we are always two identities but in this journey of life that we travel, we have formed one amazing team and even when faced with a fork in the road, two hands clutch onto each other as one and go the distance; together.

I will love you forever Michael!

Looking forward to celebrating our year anniversary tomorrow and shooting engagement photos for my cousin on Saturday. Love is in the air, and all around us.

One.

Hair on a Monday

Here are some fun images of 2011 hair trends, accompanied with a song to give you a little pick me up after the holidays. Happy Monday!!

4th Quarter - 20.10.

Feeling grateful for a great final quarter of 2010. If you were a part of this, thank you!

The closing of 2010

What a whirlwind of a year. At this time last year, we were being picked up by a limousine to head to Toronto and fly out the next day with our friends and family to get married in Mexico. We had an amazing week, one I will cherish for a lifetime. We came back for a reception I will never forget, and a few days later in February, headed back onto a plane to paradise for our beautiful, wonderful and special honeymoon at the El Dorado Seaside for a week of luxury and indulgence.

We tied up the loose ends to move into our new home in May. I quit a job that was literally hell on earth after two years and walked out with not only my head up, but a victory of putting someone in power in their place and the comfort of knowing he would never be able to bother any of the 12 (and more) women again. Sometimes I do think that God put me here on this earth to say the things that others are afraid to say because behind the scenes, I'm always thanked for coming forward when others don't want to. Speak up and benefit all.

We have made Brantford our community and met some wonderful friends. I have gone through the ups and downs of "finding myself" career wise and I'm sure the journey is not over. Always continue to grow and challenge yourself.

We witnessed an aunt finally get married to her sweetheart and for once there was an event where everyone in our family was in attendance. It rained, it poured, we laughed, we got dirty and wet and had an unforgettable evening. A few short months later, we lost an aunt in an absolute tragedy. As our family struggles to move forward despite the missing link, on these days such as Christmas and New Years especially, we remember those that we have loved and lost.

Chilean miners captured the attention of the world with their heartstopping rescue and escape. Canada hosted the 2010 Olympics. World news throughout the 52 weeks of the year was full of unspeakable crimes as well as emotion-tugging do-gooders who have helped even my pessimistic self believe that the good outweighs the bad in life.

I picked up a camera and fell in love with photography. I started a blog and my husband continues his food journalling daily. Our dog is more well behaved and growls less. Our tummies are full and hearts warm.

On the closing of this year, I would like to thank you all for supporting my honest journey, expressed through the written word and photos. I would like to wish everyone a wonderful and safe evening and a marvelous 2011. There are days when I have doubted the title of this blog because quite frankly, when you're having a bad day, life hardly seems wrapped in lace. I've learned a few things about life. Perspective is everything. When you consider what you've been through, where you could be or where you never want to be, you can be grateful for where you are and all that you have.

It's also so much sweeter when you've got someone you love to point this out to you every once in awhile.

Cheers, Happy New Year, and here's hoping the rest of your voyage will be sweet. If you're really lucky, you'll find treasures along the way which will be wrapped in pretty and delicate lace.

Love,

Wendy

A mother's hands, a mother's love

My mother's hands are always there to wipe my tears, give a hug and mend my repairs, even if it means hand stitching my curtains, or giving my pesky dog love. My mother's hands write me keepsake letters and make me home made soup when I'm sick. Nothing can replace a mother's hands.