Thoughts about You and I
This is most likely more than you ever ever ever wanted to know about Ashley and I, but we spend the day with you when you are at the top of the love mountain. You've scaled a mountain that not even the peaks of Everest, K2, or Kangchenjunga can hold a candle too. And now you are poised at the top having conquered the feat...and who is standing right beside you all day...you got it, Ashley and I. Or any other photographer that you may have had photograph your wedding. They are there to make sure everyone understands just how important this day is to you and your family. The photographer is the story teller. The scribe. The historian. The record keeper. The stenographer. You get the point.
So why does it matter that the photographer understands what love is? Because to tell the story you have to understand why it is so important. We've all loved. A cat, dog, toy, mother, father, brother, sister, the Hawkeyes, the Cyclones, the Bears, Chiefs, Vikings, or Packers. But the love for a significant other goes beyond all of that. This is the person that you've said you want to spend a lifetime with. That you want to raise a family with, even if only a family of 2. Ashley and I have been there and continue to live it every day. We understand what love is. We've lived it, photographed it, seen it come and go unfortunately. We understand love in a way few others do.
So where is all this leading to? Simply put we want you to get to know us better. As people, not as photographers. So we've grabbed a few questions from an internet list and are going to spill our guts. We want you to get inside our heads and understand why we are the best possible story tellers for your big day, why we have a deep understanding of love and life. Ashley and I answered these separately so that we could learn something about ourselves as well. As many times as we've told the stories or talked about our love we can always learn more by talking to each other and about each other. Am I soft for doing so? Some people would say so, but I firmly believe in "don't just breath....live." I'm here to live and in doing so I want to live the deepest and most meaningful life I can. That means being one with Ashley.
We honestly answered these completely separate before putting them in this blog post.
Steve: We went to the same school and for some reason I had this uncanny ability to memorize people's photos from yearbooks. So I knew the names and photos of everyone in the school even if I didn't know them personally. I could probably tell people exactly how they looked in a particular year's yearbook photo. Anyway, I knew who Ashley was, but didn't know her. My family temporarily moved to the tiny town of Berwick. We rode the same bus, existed in the same space, and still didn't really know each other. One day we played baseball in an empty field and a lot of the kids from the neighborhood were there including Ashley. I happened to mention to one of my friend's, Travis, that I liked Ashley which eventually got back to her, which I fully anticipated. The rest as they say is...history.
Ashley:We went to school together and I always knew who he was. It wasn't til he moved in to my little town that we actually met. Steve started riding the same bus as me and then one faithful day all the neighbor kids played baseball together and the rest you can say is history.
Steve: What a tough question. Because Ashley and I knew each other for so long it was easy to grow together and she became a part of me. Wherever I went, whatever I did, we were always together. When I realized that I didn't want to be anywhere she wasn't, I knew she was the one.
Ashley:I am not sure there is one specific moment. There is though two moments that really stand out. The day of our first kiss....Steve asked and I think I was in love at that moment. The other was our first 4th of July. We went to Adventurland and we timed it (plus a little bit of luck) to be at the top of the ferris wheel when the fireworks went off. Something about that moment just sticks out in my mind.
Steve: Now the truth comes out. It was actually pretty unromantic. I try, but typically fail. It was on our dating anniversary and we had dinner together. I didn't have the ring on me so I had to find a way to get it without her knowing. So I got a hold of it and hid it. Then I simply asked the question. Boring I suppose. No violins, no fancy restaurant, no wine, or even a tie. Even though it was fairly simple, it was coming for a long time. It was pretty clear that Ashley and I were like spaghetti and meatballs. Just belonged together.
Ashley:Steve proposed on our 4 year dating anniversary. It was in our little shack that we were renting at the time. I had made stuffed jumbo shells and we were eating off I believe a rubbermaid...did not yet have a table. He was traditional, no ring in a glass of champagne, thankfully. Steve got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of couse I said yes.
Steve: Kids are important part of our relationship. Our children are the product of use together. We can do anything else without each other. Win awards, run marathons, or even love. Our kids are our legacy. When we are gone they are what is left and Ashley and i working on that together are the best times. It's also the most difficult at times. We have young boys that are really close together in age. That's tough but completely worth it.
Ashley:Best times by far have to be the birth of our three sons. Nothing in the world could beat that. The most difficult would have to be during my pregnancy with Parker. My family had two horrible losses that year and shortly after our second loss we got news that I could have Vasa praevia. Thankfully everything with Parker turned out fine and he was born without any complications.
Steve: Nope and no further explanation is needed. It's just that simple.
Ashley: NOPE
Steve: Learn to laugh together. Laughter is so powerful. I really think that laughter is the roots of any good relationship. Laughter is the expression of happiness that comes from the body. We cry when were sad and we laugh when we are happy. Laughter often times gets associated with comedy, but that's not always the case. I often incite tickle fights within in the house that involve both Ashley and I as well as the boys. Believe me when I say that those are some of the most fun times.
Ashley: Talk and listen. There is nothing more important in a relationship then being able to talk with your partner about anything and everything.
Steve: My favorite story is actually of the day Gavin was born. Ashley and I were pretty undecided on names, but had an idea. When he was born she pretty much just blurted out his name with complete confidence. It was a great moment that I will never forget. She was just so matter of fact about it. I have tons of stories, that's just the one that came to mind.
Ashley: Way way to many to share....that may need to be another post!
So why does it matter that the photographer understands what love is? Because to tell the story you have to understand why it is so important. We've all loved. A cat, dog, toy, mother, father, brother, sister, the Hawkeyes, the Cyclones, the Bears, Chiefs, Vikings, or Packers. But the love for a significant other goes beyond all of that. This is the person that you've said you want to spend a lifetime with. That you want to raise a family with, even if only a family of 2. Ashley and I have been there and continue to live it every day. We understand what love is. We've lived it, photographed it, seen it come and go unfortunately. We understand love in a way few others do.
So where is all this leading to? Simply put we want you to get to know us better. As people, not as photographers. So we've grabbed a few questions from an internet list and are going to spill our guts. We want you to get inside our heads and understand why we are the best possible story tellers for your big day, why we have a deep understanding of love and life. Ashley and I answered these separately so that we could learn something about ourselves as well. As many times as we've told the stories or talked about our love we can always learn more by talking to each other and about each other. Am I soft for doing so? Some people would say so, but I firmly believe in "don't just breath....live." I'm here to live and in doing so I want to live the deepest and most meaningful life I can. That means being one with Ashley.
We honestly answered these completely separate before putting them in this blog post.
How did you meet your husband/wife?
Steve: We went to the same school and for some reason I had this uncanny ability to memorize people's photos from yearbooks. So I knew the names and photos of everyone in the school even if I didn't know them personally. I could probably tell people exactly how they looked in a particular year's yearbook photo. Anyway, I knew who Ashley was, but didn't know her. My family temporarily moved to the tiny town of Berwick. We rode the same bus, existed in the same space, and still didn't really know each other. One day we played baseball in an empty field and a lot of the kids from the neighborhood were there including Ashley. I happened to mention to one of my friend's, Travis, that I liked Ashley which eventually got back to her, which I fully anticipated. The rest as they say is...history.
Ashley:We went to school together and I always knew who he was. It wasn't til he moved in to my little town that we actually met. Steve started riding the same bus as me and then one faithful day all the neighbor kids played baseball together and the rest you can say is history.
How did you know he/she was "the one"?
Steve: What a tough question. Because Ashley and I knew each other for so long it was easy to grow together and she became a part of me. Wherever I went, whatever I did, we were always together. When I realized that I didn't want to be anywhere she wasn't, I knew she was the one.
Ashley:I am not sure there is one specific moment. There is though two moments that really stand out. The day of our first kiss....Steve asked and I think I was in love at that moment. The other was our first 4th of July. We went to Adventurland and we timed it (plus a little bit of luck) to be at the top of the ferris wheel when the fireworks went off. Something about that moment just sticks out in my mind.
How did you propose?
Steve: Now the truth comes out. It was actually pretty unromantic. I try, but typically fail. It was on our dating anniversary and we had dinner together. I didn't have the ring on me so I had to find a way to get it without her knowing. So I got a hold of it and hid it. Then I simply asked the question. Boring I suppose. No violins, no fancy restaurant, no wine, or even a tie. Even though it was fairly simple, it was coming for a long time. It was pretty clear that Ashley and I were like spaghetti and meatballs. Just belonged together.
Ashley:Steve proposed on our 4 year dating anniversary. It was in our little shack that we were renting at the time. I had made stuffed jumbo shells and we were eating off I believe a rubbermaid...did not yet have a table. He was traditional, no ring in a glass of champagne, thankfully. Steve got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of couse I said yes.
What were the best times? The most difficult times?
Steve: Kids are important part of our relationship. Our children are the product of use together. We can do anything else without each other. Win awards, run marathons, or even love. Our kids are our legacy. When we are gone they are what is left and Ashley and i working on that together are the best times. It's also the most difficult at times. We have young boys that are really close together in age. That's tough but completely worth it.
Ashley:Best times by far have to be the birth of our three sons. Nothing in the world could beat that. The most difficult would have to be during my pregnancy with Parker. My family had two horrible losses that year and shortly after our second loss we got news that I could have Vasa praevia. Thankfully everything with Parker turned out fine and he was born without any complications.
Did you ever think of getting divorced?
Steve: Nope and no further explanation is needed. It's just that simple.
Ashley: NOPE
What advice do you have for young couples?
Steve: Learn to laugh together. Laughter is so powerful. I really think that laughter is the roots of any good relationship. Laughter is the expression of happiness that comes from the body. We cry when were sad and we laugh when we are happy. Laughter often times gets associated with comedy, but that's not always the case. I often incite tickle fights within in the house that involve both Ashley and I as well as the boys. Believe me when I say that those are some of the most fun times.
Ashley: Talk and listen. There is nothing more important in a relationship then being able to talk with your partner about anything and everything.
Do you have any favorite stories from your marriage or about your husband/wife?
Steve: My favorite story is actually of the day Gavin was born. Ashley and I were pretty undecided on names, but had an idea. When he was born she pretty much just blurted out his name with complete confidence. It was a great moment that I will never forget. She was just so matter of fact about it. I have tons of stories, that's just the one that came to mind.
Ashley: Way way to many to share....that may need to be another post!
