“Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.” – Oprah Winfrey

And if that quote isn’t true. Marriage is about finding the person who still loves and celebrates you during the hard times, the poor times, and the times when you question yourself. Love is the person who always keeps you on the path to achieving your dreams and being your best self. So each time I get a chance to witness a couple and their unique love as they start their marriage journey together, I get all kinds of weepy and overly emotional/excited 😀

Lindsay and Harrison decided to celebrate their own love story at the Crystal Lake Lodge in Woodinville, Washington. This spot is so beautiful; it has a log cabin with a patio overlooking the lake, a giant stone fireplace, prehistoric looking trees, and lily pads straight out of “A Little Mermaid.” It was everything they described to me about their dreams for their wedding day. I couldn’t wait to get started and capture all the gorgeousness!

Lindsay and Harrison’s story is one I’m excited to tell because I think it shows the strength of character of both of them. This couple met when they were both living in Los Angeles. Lindsay was in graduate school and Harrison was working. Not even a year into dating, Harrison’s brother, Russell, called him needing his love and support. To hear Russell tell the story, he called Harrison as he was going through a divorce and caring for his young son alone. Although Russell and Harrison had lived apart and often many states apart, for the last decade, when Russell asked Harrison to move to Seattle to help him through this transitional period, Harrison did not even hesitate.

I have to stop here and say, hearing that gave me goosebumps because it’s just one of those acts of complete selfless love that so few of us experience in this life. And even though he cared very deeply for Lindsay, he went where he was needed.

Despite this distance, their love grew. And Lindsay, also being a woman of strength and character, moved to Seattle after graduation to be with Harrison, and to allow him to stay close to his brother and nephew.

Isn’t that such a great testimony? Because love isn’t just the grand romantic gestures full of flowers and poems, it’s what we do when the chips are down.

And Lindsay and Harrison both talked about how important their life in Seattle has been for them. Especially for Lindsay finding a community with the other volleyball coaches at Woodinville High School.  The coaches helped her plan her entire wedding and the high school girls on the team volunteered to be servers! Now that’s a team, and I love it.

The friends and family surrounding the couple had such fierce love for them, and not just service love, but sacrificial love.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t talk about how amazing the flowers were and how I was dying over the criss cross lace back of Lindsay’s wedding dress. Because it was perfection! As was every aspect of their day.

Also, making this day extra special for me, was one of my couples from last year, Marissa and Joe, being in attendance! I love getting to catch up with my bride and grooms at the weddings of their friends!!

So cheers to Lindsay and Harrison! You two have everything you need to have an amazing marriage. I know you