Casey + Sarah's Valle Crucis Anniversary Adventure | Boone, NC Couples Photography

By the time Casey contacted me I was already booked on their anniversary date. I was photographing a wedding that weekend, but because their schedule was flexible we were going to shoot for a session on the day after on Sunday. While I knew I'd be worn out after 16+ hours of wedding photography two days before, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be a part of his anniversary surprise!

To celebrate their one year anniversary, Sarah bought Casey tickets to see a Washington Redskins game, one of his favorite teams. So, to step it up, he wanted to surprise her with an anniversary session at the Apple Barn in Valle Crucis where they got married in 2013.

It was a beautiful day before their wedding and it was gorgeous the day after, but they told me it poured on their wedding day, which thwarted their plans for the outdoorsy wedding photos they were hoping for.

Due to the heavy rains they had to do all of their photos under cover. They didn't get to do any by the creek nearby and they weren't able to venture over to the Valle Crucis Community Park to have images done by the Watauga River like they wanted to either.

Even though they have images they love from their wedding, they just didn't get everything that they envisioned. That's where I came to the rescue!

With only 24 hours to go before their photo shoot, I got an email from Casey letting me know that they ran into some issues with their transmission, so they wouldn't be able to make it up to Boone.

Scheduling was a bit tricky, but we managed to get a new date on the calendar after a few emails were exchanged. Casey had to spoil the surprise but I heard that Sarah was still overjoyed to learn about this thoughtful anniversary gift.

After our first rescheduling, we hit a few more snags along the way. Some days got mixed up and then we had to cancel because of the dreadful Boone weather we were experiencing, so there were many delays that tried to get in the way. 34 emails and 1-month later we finally made it happen!

Casey and Sarah were a lot of fun to photograph. I mean, look how smitten they are with one another. They made my job ridiculously easy. I love couples that are playful and don't take themselves too seriously. As you can see, these two lovebirds liked to laugh a lot!

When Casey contacted me about the surprise anniversary photo shoot, he told me that all he wanted was a smile for his wife. Seriously, how sweet is that?!

Here's what I would say to Casey: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! I think we all had a blast! :-)

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Sarah + Casey! I'm so glad that you two were able to make a day trip up here to Boone so that I could photograph you after your first year of marriage. All of the fuss that we've had to endure in order to make this "surprise" a reality was definitely worth it! I hope you love this sneak peek as much as I do. I can't wait to share more!

Friends & Family: Want to see all of Casey + Sarah's anniversary photos when they are ready to be viewed? Please sign-up for the Weekly Wander to be notified » GET NOTIFICATIONS!

Hi! My name is Jessica a.k.a. Wayfaring Wanderer and I reside in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains here in Boone, NC. I'm a free-spirited wedding, engagement, and lifestyle photographer who loves working with couples, families, and individuals who are committed to travel, adventure, and laid-back lifestyles. If you think we might be kindreds, I invite you to join the WW tribe by signing up [ HERE ] for weekly updates & get connected to the [ WW Facebook page ] to join the conversation! | Website www.wayfaringwanderer.com

{ Featured LINKS }
» Choose Your Adventure Portrait Marathon (Oct & Nov ONLY)
» Focusing on the Marriage and Not the Wedding
» Ali + JB's Engagement Adventure at Grandfather Golf
» Logen + Nick's LGBT Engagement in Downtown West Jefferson

How I Reached a Path of Happy Healing

.

Chronic pain was part of my daily life for over 3 years. This was after I had major neck surgery to remedy the issues I was experiencing, which were 3 ruptured discs in my cervical vertebra. I was in the dark about what the source of this pain was for several months before finding a doctor that could properly diagnose me. At that point, I was at my wit's end with the daily pain, and I was willing to do practically anything to lessen or get rid of it entirely. The doctor assured me that after the procedure the pain would subside, and I would be back to 'normal' in a matter of months after my surgery. Having felt like I exhausted all of my other options, I decided to go through with the surgery. That was 4 years ago.

Today (Jan 31st), is the anniversary of that surgery. It seems sort of morbid for me to celebrate such a painful time in my life, especially since it completely changed everything about how I chose to live and what I was capable of doing physically. One thing that I missed terribly was my ability to rock climb. Before the neck issues, I climbed about 5 days a week—it was a huge part of my life. Even though I was left with a void that climbing could no longer fill, I was eventually ushered onto a new path that brought me to where I am today.

I overcame many obstacles during that time period that were extremely difficult for me to come to terms with. Now, I see how necessary it was for me to shed my old ways in order to be open to all the new experiences I wanted to have in my life. When I no longer had the ability to rock climb, I had more time to devote to photography. Reigniting my passion for taking pictures was one of the greatest gifts to come from this life-altering experience. Now, I look back on what happened as a blessing.

Not only did this experience guide me to a path where I am finally following my dreams, but it also helped draw me closer to a partner who has been there for me through thick and thin. Chronic pain can get the best of you sometimes if you don't have the will to fight against it; Cody was a real trooper when I had bad days. I'm very grateful that Cody has stuck by me through the good and bad.

It wasn't until April 2010 that those 'bad days' became few and far between. A friend introduced me to Yoga, and I've been practicing it almost daily since that time. There were moments when I felt as though the chronic pain would never go away. I consider myself extremely lucky that I could find a way to make that happen (finally). There were many occasions during the days of chronic pain that people suggested I take up Yoga, but I pretty much ignored their willingness to offer assistance. I'm glad that I finally wised up and changed this painful pattern once and for all.

This past year has most definitely been a time for healing—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It's so nice to look back on this time last year when I had no idea that the discomfort I was experiencing would diminish. It's a reminder to me that something that is bothering or worrying you today won't necessarily be there as you get further down the road. The fact that I'm sitting in front of this computer without a stitch of pain is a testament to the fact that things don't always stay the same, even if we feel as though nothing is changing.

January 31st, 2011 I will gladly celebrate my neck surgery anniversary because, in a way, even though it could be considered one of the worst things to happen in my life (so far), it's also one of the best things to have happened to me, too. 

Related Links:

• One Year Surgery Anniversary (2008)
• Forgetting that Fear 

Happy Birthday WW!

Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain.
~Author Unknown~

Today marks one year that I have had my own little corner in the blog-universe.
I could very well start this off with the 'little did I know', but I won't.....I'll spare you.
But I will say that, so far this has been one extraordinary adventure.
Looking back, I can see the change, and I can hear the change.....
and the exact moments of my progression are carefully preserved to revisit any time I am feeling nostalgic.

As people and/or artists we are constantly evolving,
and it's so exciting to see how much our ideas and styles change with time and experience.
I have gained a much greater perspective and appreciation for who I am, what I am capable of, and what I have the potential to become as a person, and a creative individual.
Coming to terms with all of the changes and expectations aren't always easy, but are required.

Along the way I have come across many people who have inspired and encouraged me to do what I love, and if it weren't for them, I probably wouldn't be doing this now. But I am, and for that, I am eternally grateful.


Create the Journey. Capture Adventure. Get Going!