Kelsie and Cody

What it means to "make" Love....

"Some things just happen", they say...like Love at First Sight....but I don't believe it.   Attraction.  Yes.  Infatuation.  Definitely.  Chemistry.  You know it.  I've experienced all those things.

But Love....I believe you have to make it, build it, nurture it and choose it.  I say that, because Love is not one of those things that just happens to me.  And I'm a "Lovey" kind of person...not really a poofy rainbows and butterflies kind of person, but I am one of those huggy, kiss you on the cheek types (even if we just met) and I'm sorry if that makes you uncomfortable but it's true about me:)

Elle&R Photography

Elle&R Photography

Love....the real kind...from my experience...comes from sacrifice and sometimes pain...and most definitely putting the one that you love before yourself.  It's about reaching beyond what comes naturally to you and showing your love to someone else in a tangible way that they can understand.  Sometimes for me, that's really hard.

Elle&R Photography

I've loved the same man, the one that chose me-- for 24 years.  He's the one that still makes my heart jump inside me when he looks at me a certain way.  I love his laugh,  it warms me and seriously....he has the most beautiful eyes.
He is creative.  He knows how to fix things and build things and he works hard.  He is generous-- and I LOVE that about him.  He is incredibly strong and I respect his strength because it is balanced with kindness, tenderness and compassion.  Together, he and I, have made two beautiful babies that have grown into amazing teenagers.  We've built a life....we've made Love.

But hear this....you incredibly adorable Brides to Be....You precious things that I LOVE to meet with and talk flowers.  As I listen to your plans, and we talk about colour themes and Pinterest pins and envision the most beautiful and romantic of days....

Elle&R Photography

In all the years of sweetness with my man...we have also shared in the hard part of Loving.

Elle&R Photography

Love is built, formed on a foundation of truth and twice as much grace.   Love is alive and living-- and to survive, it has to be nurtured and fed and cared for with every intention of keeping it growing and healthy.  You are going to have to "choose" to love when you don't feel like it more times than you can ever count.  And sometimes, you are going to have to choose to love...and I'm not talking about just your man here, I'm talking about with your family, his family, your kids or a dear friend.  You are going to have to choose to love when it feels like your heart is being ripped out of you and the pain of loss, or whatever circumstances have been thrown at you are threatening to tear down all that you hold dear.  To love when it hurts, to love when it's hard--that is the making of a woman.  You choose to Love.  Because you are strong.  And you know that Love is worth it.  Real love...the kind you want...the kind you choose to live out in the day to day...is just that...a choice.

Human Love-- it's conditional.  But Spiritual Love... there's nothing human about it, and this is the kind of love I'm talking about here.  It is when God gives you his own love so that you can give it out to others in some crazy supernatural strength that is beyond yourself.  That kind of love is unconditional and able to stand in the storms of life.  And that kind of love, and the choosing to make it, for all the ones close to your heart...is the kind I want.  The kind I need.  The kind I'm just lost without.

Elle&R Photography

Elle&R Photography

Elle&R Photography

So I think on these words..."Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.  It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

 And to a young Bride that inspired me with her grasp of this kind of love...keep making it, building it, nurturing it and choosing it.  You are truly beautiful.

Elle&R Photography

Thank you for these gorgeous pictures by Elle&R Photography and for sharing them with me!

Nicole and Kerry

This wedding could have been named after a song I love from my movie namesake! That's right...maybe not what you were expecting to hear, but there was a whole different name picked out for me until my parents went to see a movie on that fateful night and saw The Sound of Music!  It was to be Julie Ann after that, and its a good thing I was a girl.

                                         Succulents...Dahlias...and darling details... Oh, Yes....

                              "These are a few of my Favorite Things!"

What makes these little boutonnieres even sweeter is what you can't see...Yep, that's right...no pins.
                     Extra strong magnets make putting these on-- easy as pie.

And these pictures....the ones I'm getting ready to show you...sent to me by this lovely bride and taken by Ashley Martens Photography made me just want to keel over I was so excited...

 

And This! I Loved This.
   A barn board flower box made by the father of the bride and hand painted by the sister of the bride.          I couldn't hardly wait to put flowers in it!
   I'd be in love with this-- even if it wasn't totally adorable because... I'm sentimental like that.

                                                     And this cake...is so one of my favorites!

My Crazy Freedom Story

I wanted Freedom.  Freedom to be here for my family.  Freedom to Create on my own terms and in my own style.  To work half the night away, in my own space, if it meant I could go to my kid's games and drive them places.
That's right,  I've found that chauffeuring them around is like these sacred little moments where I find out things and we talk without interruptions and I listen to their music and get to know their friends and all of the extra stuff that goes on in their teenage world.  Who would have guessed!

So I needed it....and so it began, this crazy adventure of starting a business....In My House!  I hadn't worked full time in 14 years.  When I left floral design, I left it for my family.  Now I was going back to it...for my family.  Because it didn't take me too long after the kids hit double digits, to figure out that teenagers cost more money and it was a pay cheque that I needed, but even pay cheques have their own price tag.  How do you have your cake and eat it too?  I wanted to work.  I needed to work.   I had this inner craving to create again the way I used to.  And I wanted it all...on my own terms.  Who even dares ask for that!  It seemed too much but I prayed for it anyway...this crazy wish list of what I wanted and needed most.

That was three years ago, and in that time,  I have learned more lessons about God's faithfulness and grace to me than in any other space of my life.  I have worked hard.  And I'm not gonna lie, the first two years....I feel like I cried almost every day even though I didn't.  There were days when I was overwhelmed with gratefulness because I had forgotten how wonderful it was to create with these gorgeous flowers and I would just smell them and touch them and thank God that I was a florist!  And then there were days that I thought I'd never make it.  Days where I was discouraged and didn't know what my next step was supposed to be or how to get more clients or how to pay the bills.  There were days where I wanted to give up and just go work at Starbucks.  (Which isn't a bad thing:) I've done that too and it was a great time in my life and I loved it and I do love me a latte but this door had opened for me and I was trying my hardest to keep it open.  Trying my best to figure out what it was supposed to look like and how.
My insecurities surfaced thick and escalated with each turn as I struggled to create my own vision instead of trying to fit into others.  I made some big mistakes.  I lost money when I really needed to make money.  I learned how to operate the business on a dime.  It was stressful and crazy and I never would have made it I'm sure, without the love and support of my family and friends and growing number of clients that never stopped encouraging me.

And right now, as I look back on this great wedding rush from May until now, I can't help but wanna hug each and every one of my dear clients...my heart is so grateful for the opportunity and trust given to me to play a small part in the most important of days.  I'm so glad I didn't give in to my fears of not making it and give up a part of me that brings me so much joy.  Thank you so much.  My heart is full.

Brides To Be…and their Mothers

When I met Krystie and her mother Myrna for our first wedding consultation, there were a few things that stood out.  They were both vibrant, both genuine, same bright eyes and beautiful smiles…I loved both of them instantly!

Krystie pretty much knew what she wanted but in a very relaxed style.  I loved her ideas and her sentimental heart.  One of my favorite details of Krystie's flowers was when she brought me a necklace and pendant that belonged to her grandmother and asked if they could be incorporated somehow into her bouquet.  

Well, I love that sort of thing and believe it’s those small personal details that make each wedding unique, special and fun to be a part of! 

To go with the wedding cupcakes, Myrna made a small Red Velvet Cake (which I must admit is my favorite...since I also had a Red Velvet Wedding Cake) and asked me to make a small floral cake topper.

 Groom's Boutonniere

 Matching Corsage and Boutonniere for Parents of the Bride and Groom

 Another look at Krystie's Bouquet

Bridesmaid's Bouquets

So...I got to see and hug the beautiful girl in her beautiful dress on her special day.  I got to hug the beautiful Mom that seemed almost as excited as the bride herself.  And I got to see an uncle with camera in hand tear up next to me when she walked into the kitchen so lovely.   Seriously, does it get any better?!  I love my job.  

I Always Cry.....

So...I can't seem to deliver a wedding without shedding a tear or two.  I don't know what it is, I hand out the flowers and then I lose all sense of professional boundaries and want to hug and kiss the bride.  It's fine if I know her but when I'm simply the florist...that sort of behavior can cause...well...awkwardness.  I generally feel the same about pregnant mamas and sweet little old ladies but I have learned a little, in my older years to try and refrain myself if need be!  So, no need to worry if I'm doing your upcoming wedding and hugging the florist makes you feel just a little...uncomfortable:)

In fact, I did refrain today when I delivered flowers to a most beautiful bride.  Not because I didn't want to, but because I didn't want to cry all over her beautiful dress!  I love the anticipation in the air before the ceremony and I love seeing the glowing face of a bride adorned and ready to speak sacred vows to the love of her life.  I love pinning on boutonnieres and seeing the family gathered and dear friends circling close.

 I love the small part that I play in that day.  I love the flowers.  I marvel at their colors and details, when shades and textures are blended like tapestry.  I love how they look placed into the wedding like props for Broadway.   I took a few pictures today before carting them down to the little white church.  They're lovely....but they are nothing compared to the bride.  They were only a compliment to her and her ladies.  Hopefully,  when the professional photos are done you'll get to see for yourself.

Congratulations Bernie and Sarah....today was a beautiful day for a wedding.