Barbara and Jay's 20th Wedding Renewal
Back in 1998…
Barbara wanted to have a small dinner party, but she did not realize at that time it would change the rest of her life. Her friends invited a man named Jay to dinner and, “our lives were forever bonded from that night forward”. She was attracted to his attentiveness, social side, wanting to help pour wine, conversation, and all around “such a nice guy”. Jay was attracted to her interest in what he was saying, listening, and paying him attention.
Their 1st date…
was not for another month (March 21st) because of their schedules kept getting in the way, but they had regular phone conversation throughout the month. Finally, they met again at McCormick and Schmidt’s Steakhouse in Washington DC.
Three years later…
Barbara and Jay married on April 22, 2001 at St. Lafayette Square, Washington DC, were they were long time members.
Barbara and Jay…
“thrived on city life”, and spend time together going to museums, theater and concerts. They are also both avid travelers, (stateside and overseas) with Jay being a great destination planner of the two. They love to travel with friends or just the two of them. Their favorite travel destination was their European River Cruise in 2017, which visited several beautiful countries.
Barbara and Jay…
both retired in 2018 from their own company, House to Home Relocation, which they owned for nine-plus years. House to Home Relocation “helped the elder population transition between residences, locally and nationally”. Before they started their business, they “had a long time in the military and federal careers, earning retirement from that public service”.
Now that they have retired…
they love to entertain their friends at their house, deliver meals to the elderly, going to church, going to outdoor festivals, walking around St. Pete, as well as exploring “Old Florida”. Jay leads a Sunday morning usher team that Barbara is a part of at Episcopal Cathedral. This where they decided would be the perfect place to renew their vows, 20 years later. “We wanted to do something very special as the best gift to give to one another.” “We like to say, ‘Same Day, Same Time, Different City, 20 years later’”.
This is where…
I met Barbara and Jay for the first time after Barbara sent an email at 3:30 in the morning, looking for a photographer to capture “a last minute Sunkissed Moment”. After meeting their friends, they said, “Just like Barbara, always working”. On April 22, 2021 Barbara and Jay renewed their vows to each other “because we were committed to “We Do…. Again”.
Barbara and Jay…
were surrounded by family, friends, and friends so close they are like family. Everyone was sharing how they met them, from; Porch Parties, Panama, Neighbors, Cruise Friends, best friend for over 40 years, and so much more.
Everyone went around…
the room also sharing something that no one knew about them; wanting to move to Iran, Blackjack dealer, bartender in Georgia or Alabama, not knowing what their birth name was, playing tennis with Jimmy Buffett, served a beer by Jimmy Buffett, parting with Aerosmith, spending the weekend with Barry Manilow, and “sleeping together”.
They had amazing…
food from The Fresh Connection, a private bartender named Claire, pianist Don Korb Sr. and even their long-time mailman stopped by to help celebrate.
What makes your relationship work for so long?
They say, “Our love and commitment. To one another (2nd marriage for both), and our interest in each other’s wellbeing every day. We remember and celebrate our birthdays and other special anniversaries.”
Cheers to Barbara and Jay!!!
“To a Couple Who Knows the True Meaning of “I Do”
There was a time when being married for a lifetime
Was the rule, not the exception.
Today, too many couples believe “I do”
Means until times are tough,
They grow tired and impatient
With each other,
Or until they find somebody better.
Couples who reach the milestone
Of each anniversary know better.
They know “I Do” means honoring
Each other even when
They don’t understand each other.
It means respecting each other even when their opinions differ.
It means entrusting each other with their hearts, dreams and lives.
It means holding tight when grief,
Illness, or worry threatens to pull them apart.
It means fighting with fortitude
To stay together during life’s most difficult times.
Perhaps most important of all,
It means pledging to be
Dearest friends
All the days of their lives.
By Lisa Crofton.
National Adoption Month - Tori and Michael
“They may not have my eyes, they may not have my smile, but they have all of my heart”
During this holiday season many of us are asking for presents under the tree, Tori and Michael however, are asking for the present of a baby in their arms. November is National Adoption Month, and I was asked, a couple of months ago, to take pictures of this amazing family. The reason I was asked, was for their adoption page, in hopes of getting a baby of their own. Tori had emergent surgery, no longer allowing her to conceive or carry on her own, and Michael also dealing with his own struggles with infertility, they decided to adopt.
They moved down to St. Petersburg from North Carolina, they love the outdoors, taking hikes together, and being out on the water. Michael plays the guitar, soccer, but disc golf is his favorite. Tori is an avid animal lover and volunteers her time and home to injured wildlife. They also have a very strong Christian Faith that is also helping them through this. They are praying this holiday season, they will get their gift of their baby.
Because it is National Adoption Month, here are some facts about adoption. There are several different ways to adopt; Foster Care, Private Agency, International, relative/kinship, and Adult Adoption. Some adoptions can cost between $30,000 – and $50,000. In Foster Care there are 400,000 children. “They range in age from infant to 21 years old (In some states). The average age of a child in foster care is more than 8 years old, and there are slightly more boys than girls.” This information is from AdoptUsKids.org.
Dealing with infertility, making the choice for your family to adopt, and how to adopt, is a very hard and personal decision. Support during a hard and long journey is a very important thing. If you know a family that is adopting, or trying to adopt, please ask how you can help support them.
National Stepfamily Day + Engagement
In the beginning…
Cat and Cody were in the same group of friends in high school, but not friends themselves. After graduation and many years later, it started with them becoming friends on Facebook. They ended up commenting on the same photo over and over again, till they started talking just the two of them separately. They have been together ever since.
Cody explained…
he had a three-year-old son, Maddox. At first Cat was concerned because she lost her mother unexpectedly at a young age, and thought that she would never want to have kids for fear of not being there for her child. However, she talked to her Step Mom. Her Step Mom’s response to the whole situation was “So?”
Cat went on a date…
with Cody and met Maddox for the first time. Cat and Maddox hit it off. They had a very special bond from day one, and all of the fear went away
Their families welcomed the couple with open arms, and nine months later they were living with each other because it just felt right. Maddox was also thrilled they were together.
Cat mentioned…
one of her favorite things about their relationship is how they always dream big, with unconditional support for each other, no matter how big or crazy the idea is. Some examples were holding off on getting married to buy a house instead, or starting a business to name a few.
I asked Cat…
if they wanted family photos taken because even though they were not “officially” a stepfamily, in their hearts they were. Little did Cat know that Cody contacted me several days before hand, letting me know he wanted to propose during the session. (Side note: this has always been a dream of mine as a photographer to do, okay back to them)
We talked…
over the next couple of days for plans and ideas, and to also include Maddox in it. What better day would it be for a proposal than Stepfamily Day, and to make it official! Rain or shine we did it. There was some sign switching and trickery, but I think the pictures speak for themselves.
Congratulations…
Cat, Cody, and Maddox on the engagement. You are all amazing people with so many people that love you!
BTW I did ask, and they would like to make it a family of four some day!
Happy Grandparents Day 2020
“Children are the rainbow of life, Grandchildren are the Pot of gold”
Some of our greatest blessings call us Mema and Pepa
“Grandparents, are so easy to operate, even a child can you do.” ~Unknown
“The reason grandparents and grandchildren get along so well is that they have a common enemy.” ~Sam Levenson
“Being a grandparent is your reward for not killing your kids!” ~Unknown
“Love them, Spoil them, Give them back” ~Unknown
National Sisters' Day (My Sister and I)
“I SMILE because you’re my sister. I LAUGH because you can’t do anything about it!”
You and I…
can not be more opposite, but you are the Ying to my Yang.
You… I…
like the color grey like bright colors
plan ahead of time (many months) go with the flow planning
blonde hair brown hair
work in business work in healthcare
are made for running am made for lifting
tells it how it is have many emotions
hate shopping. love shopping
remember nothing remember everything
enjoy functional presents enjoy meaningful presents
are thin am thick
… and so on and so on. You get it
You have…
always been my big sister and sometimes a second mom. You have been there to look after me from our flights to New Jersey, helped me learn how to read (words are hard), applying for college, and adulting.
I remember (but you probably don’t)…
water fights in the house, playing football the with neighbors, making music videos, running from your room and flipping on the couch, you cheating on games, and laughing uncontrollably.
We have had many inside jokes…
“Barracuda”, “Drunk by Nine”, “Go ‘W’”, “La Regina”, and “The world does not revolve around you”, just to name a few
I have always…
looked up to you, and in great awe of what you have accomplished. I still remember a photo you gave me in high school that said one day you would look down on me from the crowd and say proudly “That’s My Sister”. I never thought that would ever happen, but here is a picture from the 3 Day 60 Mile walk where it came true. This, along with other victories in my life, you have been there to support me.
I know that…
We have had great times and rough times, but there is no one else I would rather have as my sister. I love you and appreciate you. Happy National Sisters’ Day
“Our paths
may change as life goes along, but our bond as Sisters will remain ever strong.”
~Unknown
National Sisters' Day (A and V)
“Sisters are different flowers from the same garden”
Favorite thing to do with your sister?
A - take pictures with her
V - play frog
Favorite Princess?
A - All of them!!
V - Rapunzel!!
Favorite Color?
A - Pink and Purple
V - Purple and Pink
Favorite Stuffy?
A - Taco Dog
V - Teddy
Favorite thing about each other?
Both - I love her!
Do you like matching each other?
Both - YES!
Do you get mad if you are not matching?
Both - YES!!!
Do you guys fight?
Mom - Haha, do they fight?!?!
“A sister is…
a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.”
~ Marion Garretty