“Behind you!” she called and scooted around him with a giant pot of boiling potatoes headed towards the sink and a strainer.  He paused, then opened the fridge to reach for the butter with one hand, and with the other, opened a drawer and pulled out the mixer.  Setting the supplies on the counter next to the sink, she gave him a friendly bump with her hip and smiled.  He wiped his brow.  His family roared with laughter just ten feet away in the dining room.  Wine, a few appetizers and a round of storytelling were keeping them occupied while he and Liz attempted to make all the components of Christmas Eve dinner come out at the same time.  He’d only met her three months ago, and he couldn’t be happier to have a tiny kitchen that afforded a few bumps and brushes past.  He began to mash, and she scooted around him again to check on the rolls in the oven.  The laughter rose again, and he glanced over to the dining room to see his sister gesturing wildly in the midst of some recollection.  He smiled and looked out the window in front of him at the softly falling snow.  It was Christmas Eve, his family was alive and happy right in the next room, and he was in his own tiny kitchen feeling a million miles away as he bustled around with the girl….he…..loved.  It struck him.  He loved her!  This was it.  She was it.  He smiled as the warm glow of realization washed over him.  He glanced over at her.  ”I love you” he whispered.  She smiled.  ”Love you too.” she replied, and grabbed the oven mitts.

*I must give credit where it is due.  Mark really wrote most of that story himself.  I paraphrased and added my own twist to it, but he sent it to me in an email and he, like me, can’t tell a story without rambling on for half of it – so I had plenty of accurate details to work with.

I have to admit, Mark may have won me over when he said he told Liz he already had their wedding photographer picked out on the night of their engagement.  As a photographer himself, such confidence in me is only all the more flattering.  They are the third in a close-knit group of friends that I have had the honor to capture a wedding for.  Such a fun group – they’ve had me all over the midwest – Minocqua, Wisconsin, Bessemer, Michigan, and now Detroit in just more weeks.  These two are such a stitch to watch as they crack each other up in-between tender moments – their wedding is going to be so much fun – a perfect labor day weekend celebration!