Mr. and Mrs. Jaxson Hellbusch

April 29, 2016

I had tried to imagine this day for months, maybe even years. I am not sure what I expected, but it was better than I thought a day could be. 

We started wedding week by sitting all the kids down. Then talked about how it was wedding week and everyone was expected to help. We also decided to make it a "cancer free" week.  There would be no talk of cancer. It was such a good week. A little crazy and a lot of work, although great.

The day of the wedding Jaclyn had a ProDo bus come to our street to do everyone's hair. Jaxson came in to get Jaclyn before they left for the Temple. He looked so handsome. As they walked out to head to the Temple, a sadness came over me. I was so happy that they were getting married. A part of me just knew my role in his life would never be the same. Which is how life is supposed to go. It just hurt my heart a little.

We got to the Temple and so many of our family and friends were waiting in there. It made my heart happy to see all of the people who love and support Jax and Jaclyn. It was amazing. After the ceremony, I lost it when I hugged Jaxson. I love that kid so much. I am so proud of him and the choices he is making in his life.

My friend, Maren, did the flowers. Her daughter and another friend, Melisa helped Maren the day before. The girls and Jaclyn's family prepped food and decorations. Everything was beautiful. A few of my friends set everything up for the reception, I will be indebted to them for the rest of my life. I am not sure they will ever fully understand how much their help meant to me. 

The luncheon was so fun. Again, so many great people came to support this sweet couple. The reception was beautiful. I don't have any complaints. I watched with pride as my son, greeted people with his gorgeous bride. 

I want to thank everyone who helped make this day great. I was humbled by all of the support and love our family received. I also want to take a minute and apologize to anyone who we overlooked during the invitation process. Invitations needed to go out and I was only one day post surgery. The kids did their best. I know quite a few people were missed and I am truly sorry. Despite the people we may have missed, we still felt your love throughout the whole day. 

Thanks for all the love and support that we feel from you all!

Love this couple. So proud of them!!

Nothing Prepares Your Heart

Nothing prepares your heart......

I watched as my son stood waiting to see his future bride in her wedding dress for the first time. In photography circles this is called "The First Look." My heart started to beat faster and I almost couldn't catch my breath. I had known this day was coming, felt mentally prepared, no big deal. I photograph this moment for couples all the time. I lost it a little. My son, my only boy, loves another woman. A women that is fabulous. I mean, I know he is supposed to fall in love and get married, but standing there faced with the reality of it.....my heart was not prepared.  I love Jaclyn. I think she is wonderful and I can't think of a better woman for my son.  It's tricky. This is the boy who kissed my hand before he left for school so I wouldn't miss him quite as much. Now he is grown and moving forward and I wouldn't want it any other way. I just wasn't quite prepared.