If ever there were two people who belong together, it is Kailee & Robert. You know the part in the wedding vows when you say, 'I promise to love you, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad...'? Well Kailee and Robert's love has already challenged these limits.
So I asked Kailee & Robert to tell me about their love story. Now, for any of you that know Kailee, you know she is not one to be at a loss for words. And I'm so glad she took the time to tell me about their love story the way she did. I fell in love with their story, and as I said, I knew they belonged together.
The two actually met in college, but it wasn't until a mutual acquaintance thought they should meet up, did they actually talk and get to know each other.
Unlucky Break #1-->The night after they met up to talk, Robert moved to South Carolina.
BUT
He came back for the fourth of July celebration and definitely planned on meeting up with Kailee.
Unlucky Break #2-->Kailee was extremely sick, spending a night in the ER.
BUT
Robert drove down to see Kailee anyway and helped take care of her.
After Robert returned to South Carolina, they continued to talk hours on end. This gave way to the beautiful friendship they are blessed with. The very friendship that is the foundation to which their love was built. Robert moved back to Indiana after the summer, and months of loving and laughter later~ he knew that this is the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Enter a carefully selected ring, a dinner date and violá!!
Unlucky Break #3-->The dinner wasn't good and they ended up back at the house on the couch. The highly anticipated night just felt a little too ordinary to be the night they made the most important decision of their lives. The ring would stay in his pants pocket until the time was right.
Robert got up the next morning and went to work, shoveled some snow, and completed his shift. Checking his pocket he realized there is NO ring. Unlucky Break #4--He turns the house upside down claiming he was looking for a lost phone--no luck. It wasn't until the next day when meeting up with Kaille for lunch that he spilled the beans.
Staring at the Costco parking lot~~looking for a white gold ring in a snow covered lot.
Flashlights, metal detectors, and many warm clothes, they began their search. Over a week they searched everywhere--over and over again, but no ring. The snow had begun to melt and Robert still searched for the ring every chance he got. With hopes of finding the ring dwindling and another random search of the parking lot, Robert was losing hope. But there it was!! On top of a giant pile of snow sat the ring. Snow that had melted down just enough to expose the ring in all its glory! Robert snatched it up and went directly to Kailee's work. And finally~they were officially engaged!
Now they are just a couple of ol' married folks. They are lively, caring, and humble. They go on walks, craft together, and enjoy an adventurous roadtrip on occasion. And life is good!!
I think Kailee wraps up their love and life in a sweet little package like this:
Robert and I are super laid back. We laugh a lot and make terrible jokes. We turn the most mundane tasks into 'remember that one time?' I can't help but think this is what happens when you get two folks willing to put some work into the stuff that matters, and just find entertainment on how the rest turns out. The less I stress about something, the more I get to see serendipity at work.
Still learning every day as I travel along this new photography journey. After every session on my ride home, I try to size up the session to see if I've been able to get the images my clients want, if I was able to master all the mechanics of my camera, and lighting, and movement. When I left this session, I knew that I had enjoyed myself--I have watched these girls grow up. But there was still this nagging voice in my head saying I should have done something differently or forgot to some things all together. But when I got home and got these images onto my computer, I was so happy!
This family supplied me with one tender moment after another and I love how the session turned out. We had a lot to deal with~5 little ones, the three girls, mom and dad who from my understanding, hadn't been photographed in quite some time and trying to keep everyone happy, available, and on cue when it was their turn.
I've studied and practiced and studied some more. And while I can try to orchestrate some of the interaction between family members, I think a lot of what I capture is simply just honest, true, innocent love. This family showed me this by the truckloads! As I set up one group for a pose, I'd notice off to the side was a tender moment I just couldn't pass up, so I found myself turning in circles trying to capture each and every glimpse of love.
After I finished editing the images, I decided the reason I left so satisfied was that I just witnessed a family who really gets 'it'. By watching through my lens, I actually felt the devotion they have for one another. They embrace each other with love and respect. They laugh~~with and at each other in the purest most wonderful way. And they slow down to take in all the little moments, which we all learn eventually, aren't actually so little.
This was an amazing session. One that taught me a lot more than just the technical functions of my camera or where to place people and what to say to them to help get the images I want. Not that I didn't know it, but it's nice to be reminded how unmistakably amazing the little moments truly are. Blessed, just blessed!
Snips, snails, and puppy dog tails
That's what little boys are made of.
I was so excited to meet this sweet baby boy! Brody decided to join us a little early, which was just fine says his momma, Trisha. It just gave Trisha and Tyler more time to love him. From what I could gather from his mommy and daddy, they are just smitten with him and spend a lot of their time staring at him and breathing him in. He's been a perfect little baby allowing his mommy and daddy time to sleep. It was so much fun seeing these two as new parents. I have no doubt they will knock this parenting gig out of the park! Welcome to the world, Brody Patrick!
Why 2017 Rocked!
As I sit here working on my website, trying to get it to look like and do the things I want it to, I can’t help but think about how blessed I am. I have to stop and think about all of those that have supported me in launching My Only Sunshine in 2017. It has definitely been an amazing ride! I started out with some very small goals and expectations. I was just going to toss my name out there and see if there would be anyone interested in allowing me to take some images for their family, senior, or newborn. Ya know, start small and see where it would take me. I’ve ended up blessed enough to photograph all kinds of things~a birthing session (my first baby had her first baby which was amazing), newborn sessions, maternity sessions, family sessions, and some Seniors too! It has far exceeded my expectations and I am truly blessed beyond measure having received so much love and support from you.
The love, support, and prayers that I’ve received from not only my friends and family, but also from clients, their friends and family, and other fellow photographers has truly touched my heart. Thank you to all of those that have “liked” my work on social media, left me comments, shared my page and/or posts, followed my work, encouraged me, trusted me to photography your family, and referred me to your friends and family members—-I cannot begin to thank you enough. You are truly amazing. It has been a a privilege and a blessing to capture so many moments for so many families—-I am honored.
Before I close, let me tell you about some hopes and dreams I have for this first year of my new venture. I hope to offer some different kinds of session…fun mini sessions (suggestions welcome!)…more blog and Instagram posts…possibly some out of state sessions…maybe a Facebook giveaway…and hopefully some collaboration work…and a free gift to returning clients!
Again, thank you all for supporting me as your family photographer, your newborn photographer, your child photographer, your maternity photographer, your friend, as a person, a wife, a mom, a grandma, an artist and as a new business owner!! I am humbled, honored, and thrilled knowing y’all have my back! Here’s to the future of My Only Sunshine—BRING IT ON!!
Love,
Me
The day she was born and you held your baby in your arms, you just can’t imagine loving anyone or anything more then you love your babe at that very moment. And then life happens. Life gets busy~there are diapers to change, meals to cook, laundry on top of laundry, and bills to pay. And we get through each day the best we can, usually exhausted and wondering if we can do it all again tomorrow. But one day you wake up knowing that the little, tiny one used to wrap her fingers so tightly arounds yours is now ONE and not so little anymore. She’s walking (or running) and talking, with a mouth full of teeth! She’s playing patty cake, peek-a-boo, and maybe even calling you by name (Momma or Dada of course). The little one, that you got so excited if she opened her eyes and looked at you one year ago, now has a smile that melts your heart. I’m not sure if there’s anything better than being a parent (unless maybe it’s being a grandparent ;) ). It changes you in ways you never even knew existed. I’ve watched Gary and Sydney throughout Onyx’s first year grow up and grow together. The special quiet moments with Onyx are not lost on them—they are sure to slow down and soak them up. Don’t ever stop, because like I said, life happens. And before you know it, you’ll wake up one day and your babies will be having babies of their own. Don’t blink!
What is your full name? Onyx Jean Kafanataris
Birthday? January 16, 2017
Mommy’s Name: Sydney Malana
Daddy’s Name: Gary Kafantaris
Do you have a nickname? Onyx Jean
How old are you? 1 year old
My favorite thing to do is? Walk everywhere!
The thing I am best at is: telling mommy and daddy what I need
I love to eat: EVERYTHING, but especially cookies
I love to play with: Harlow, my pug
What are you afraid of? Daddy’s singing. It makes me cry.
What makes you happy? Getting my way
What makes you angry? When I don’t get my way and my parents won’t let me do certain things, like climb on my stool by myself.
What is your favorite toy? The vacuum cleaner.
What is your favorite song? “If you’re happy and you know it!”
What tricks can you do now? I give kisses, point to things I want, can feed myself,
walk, run, climb, clap my hands, and many more!