The older I get, the more I've come to realize that being happy in life is really about acknowledging and recognizing the things one has to be thankful for. My friendship with Bethany and Jarrod is definitely one of those things.

I met Bethany and Jarrod a little over a year ago and watching them grow in their love for each other has been an honor. They've been hit with some serious challenges, but they've faced those challenges head on, together showing stoicism and bravery in the face of adversity. 

I've learned a lot from these two, about life, love and what it means to be an adult. Fun fact: there's no right or wrong answer.  That's because life can be incredibly complicated and confusing, but it can also be beautiful, fun and silly. And while there's no set way to life live or be an adult, being true to your self seems like a good place to start. This is, perhaps, the greatest lesson I've learned from Bethany and Jarrod. They know what they like and love, and they aren't afraid to pursue those passions.

Of course, all of the things Bethany and Jarrod love were reflected in their wedding, from portraits at Fenton Street Market to the use of local vendors to make their day so special. They decorated tables with favorite childhood books and hand-picked their favorite wines to share with guests. What stood out most about their celebration, however, was how Bethany and Jarrod made their day not just about themselves, but about their friends and family. 

This couple truly exemplifies that old adage about love being patient, kind, and always persevering. I'm convinced their love for each other -- and life -- will lead them to a future full of happiness, and I can't wait to see where it takes them. Congratulations, friends!

When I think about Dave and Chrissy, everything they’ve been through together and the amazing future they have in front of them, I just can’t help but smile. They are so incredibly kind, caring, charming and talented, and I feel honored to know both of them.

Dave and Chrissy met on an ill-fated hiking trip – they carpooled to the mountains together, only to be forced to turn around and drive home due to bad weather. That chance encounter led to talking, which led to dinner, which led to binge watching of The Walking Dead, which led to love and, finally, marriage. Yup, that’s right. Chrissy and Dave bonded over the outdoors, food and zombies. You gotta love it!

Dave and Chrissy were married at the end of August at Caboose Farm in Maryland. Everything about their wedding reflected their personalities, from the beautiful location to the home-made limoncello and baklava guests were given as favors. Perhaps the most touching part of their wedding was the way Chrissy and Dave opened their hearts and invited everyone to take part in the ceremony and celebration. It was easy to see that this intimate wedding wasn’t just about the love Chrissy and Dave feel for each other – it was about the love they have for their friends and family as well. 

I'm typing this with a giant smile on my face. I just love love and that makes this surprise proposal that much more exciting. Last week, in Downtown Silver Spring, Denny asked the love of his life, Halsey, to marry him. Spoiler alert: she totally said yes :)

Denny worked with his cousin, Nate Fischer, to pull the whole thing off, and they did an amazing job! After taking Halsey out to dinner, Denny walked with her to Veteran's Plaza, where the dance group Urban artistry just happened (wink, wink) to be having a performance. Upon their arrival, Urban Artistry called Denny and Halsey to join them. They blasted the song "Marry Me" by Jason Derulo and circled the couple with their amazing dance moves.

Once the song was over, Denny got down on one knee and... well, I'll let the pictures do the talking!

The surprises just kept coming!

When it came to learning Lightroom, one of the most helpful tools I found was a DIY workshop by photographer David Johnson. 

David has been a landscape photographer for a number of years and is passionate about helping others hone their craft. He operates Photography Roundtable, a blog and podcast that's a resource for all things photography, including tips, tricks, product reviews and advice. 

I was first introduced to David through another photography podcast I listen to regularly. Coincidentally, around the same time I was considering Lightroom as a viable photo editing option, David had just developed his DIY Lightroom tutorial. 

To be clear, I don’t know David personally, so purchasing his product felt a little bit like a leap of faith. At the time, I figured I’d learn something. What I didn’t realize was just how much I would learn, or how good completing his program would make me feel. Seriously! David’s workshop is 30 lessons long, so finishing it felt like a real accomplishment! 

David created his Lightroom tutorial for people like me -- photographers who are new to Lightroom and who are intimidated to the max. Because it's downloadable, users are able to work at their own pace and complete the course on their own time. I have a day job, so that kind of structure is perfect for me. I got up early in the mornings and went through a few lessons before heading to work each day. Learning a brand new program wasn’t easy, but David made it fun and exciting. It was kinda like going to school!

The best part was being able to see the fruits of my labor. After each lesson, I practiced what I learned and in just a few weeks, was utilizing Lightroom to it’s potential.
 
I have so much more confidence now than when I started. I’m convinced purchasing David’s workshop was one of the best educational investments I’ve ever made, and I can't thank him enough for sharing his knowledge with the world!