I can’t believe it’s already one year since fun-loving Mishelle + Robb got married at the Parker Palm Springs! We had access to the ultracool Rockstar Suites at the new Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego. This place is off the hook and really perfect for their personality. Always a pleasure spending time with them again. :-)My buddy Ed Atrero brought his toyz (ringflash!) and let me play with it. Thanks, Ed!

Ok, so we’ve been really late to respond with a winner for about a week but we do have a really good excuse for it. Not exactly an excuse, but more of a fact. As it was previously mentioned, that the stories that we’ve been receiving have been so touching and heartfelt – so much that it is close to IMPOSSIBLE to pick the winner. Close to, but not quite :) Before we announce the winner of the contest, let’s read the story:

“Til we meet again” is how we can describe our relationship of love.

Being a United States Marine Corps wife is certainly “the toughest job in the Corps”, states an old axiom of the Jarhead world. :) My soul mate, Randy Brock, has certainly given me a sense of contentment in our union (when he’s home, at least). Randy is a Gunnery Sergeant in VMFA 232 Red Devils (Marine Fighter Squadron) based in Miramar, San Diego � now somewhere on his way again to Afganistan with his fellow troops.

We have been together for 4 years, but since then, Randy, bless his heart, has served in Operation Iraqi Freedom 4 times since our union. Yes, he has deployed 4 times in the last 4 years! In summary, he has missed all of 3 wedding anniversaries, both pregnancies (We now have a 2½ year old boy, Aidan and a 16 month old girl, Mikaella). � Yes, good gracious, we did get busy! Needless to say, Randy missed the birth of our first born (only catching glimpses of a choppy video of my C-section on CD) and then, of course, barely missing the birth of our little girl.

Coming home only one day earlier than anticipated, Randy arrived just in the knick of time. I had picked him up at 5:00pm from North Island Naval Air Station, and got stuck on the Coronado Bay Bridge in 2 hour unrelenting traffic, with a 14 month old son miserable in his car seat with the stomach flu.

Yet, our little girl must’ve known that Daddy was home. She was more than too excited in my belly that evening! She must have decided that this had to be prime time! I went into labor at 2:30am a few hours after getting settled at home. It was definitely a bumpy night!

At the hospital’s operating room, the figure of my stoic husband stood amidst all the blue sterile drapes.

I could surely see his tear filled eyes at the sound of a shrieking, but absolutely adorable baby girl. Can I tell you that being half way sedated and watching my husband quietly carry our pride and joy, made up for all the 4 years of missed occasions and heart-wrenching farewells, as well as, the memorable sadness that comes with seeing the streaming of American flags and yellow emblems that assert our nation to “Support Our Troups”.

We certainly had more of our fair share of heartaches, mostly with departures and challenging days alone with two infants, and also the need for 2 jobs and not to forget, the lack of much needed help. We try to survive and do what we military families do best � cope and pray, and hope for God’s speed and the safety of our spouse’s return. Unfortunately, due to our lives of never ending bliss to protect and serve our country, we were not able to fully savor a beautiful fairy tale wedding, much less, have captured moments of a romantic, fun filled Engagement portrait session.

Randy will be back shortly from his 4^th deployment, so what better gift to give him for our 4^th wedding anniversary, than a real photo session from the pros? It would indeed, fill our empty walls with professional photographs we can only imagine having taken. We hope you can help us fulfill that dream.

We understand this is quite the unconventional reason to give a couple an Engagement session, especially since we are, in fact, married. However, to be honest, we really have yet to have “real” photographs taken of ourselves. We undeniably have numerous photos of the children (mostly with their father), kept in a few portrait boxes and unorganized sleeves (who doesn’t). To our dismay, we don’t have much of ourselves taken together (we just haven’t gotten around to doing so, due all of his deployments). If we don’t make the cut, then I guess, we would just have to understand the context of which this contest is truly for. (We still hope we make it regardless :))

Both of you are both doing the community a great service, just by offering every one your talent and expertise! Both of you are amazing nonetheless! More power to you and your company, and May God Bless! JANET & RANDY BROCK: CONGRATULATIONS!!!! We have the utmost respect towards our troops and everyone that sacrifices their personal lives for others. It takes tremendous courage, sacrifice that most people would not be able to even imagine of doing. This is a story of determination, personal sacrifices for the benefit and safety of others, and a living proof that LOVE conquers all. This competition is not only about the celebration of love, it is also about great people. People that give and set aside their personal gains for the benefit of others. It is about selflessness. We feel that you two really deserves this and we’re honored to be able to do this for you two. Congratulations again!

3Fs. That’s what described Jenn & Eric’s wedding at the Wynn Las Vegas – Family, Friends, FOOD! We’ve been waiting for this wedding since we shot their engagement session! Jenn & Eric’s wedding vibe was relaxed and untraditional. They got ready together in a super-swank suite. Eric even helped with the dress. We then explored the beautiful hotel before the ceremony. Afterwards, the whole group enjoyed the rest of the evening at world-renowned chef Daniel Boulud brasserie savoring multiple courses of delicious food. Congrats again, Jenn & Eric. You two are truly awesome and we’re privileged to call you friends. Welcome dinner at Corsa the night before Day of – Double vision! A gown worthy to be displayed side by side with Picasso’s Manolos! Eric got a bit emotional during the ceremony

Enjoy!

Makeup by Tessa Stull