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.
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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!
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!
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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
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!
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I believe it is only fitting with my first blog to start with the two people who have inspired me more than anyone else in my life. My parents, Fred & Elaine, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past year. Did you catch that y'all--60th wedding anniversary! That's a big ol' 6 followed by a big 0! Their story probably, is not so different from many others. They met...fell in love...got married...had children...and grandchildren...and now great grandchildren. Like I said, the same as many others. But these are MY parents, and like any grown person would say--My dad is bigger than your dad! Or my mom is better than your mom! ;) But seriously, they have inspired my sisters and me just in the simple fact of watching the love that they have for each other as we grew up. He never forgets an anniversary or a birthday; she always gets the most beautiful bouquet of flowers! She always made sure she had dinner on the table when he walked in. 60 years of this...that's a lot of flowers and meals! I've never once heard them argue. Any conversation they had that they seemed to not be in agreement usually ended with "Yes, Elaine." She kept the house clean, laundry done, cooked 3 meals a day, took care of the kids with all our school work and appointments. She was our room mother, field trip chaperone, and coached my softball team. He left early in the morning so that he could make a good life for all of us, but only after a kiss and a "See you later, Gator." He tried his best to teach his three girls to throw a ball, figure complex math off the top of your head, and attended to support every activity we were in. I think when you grow up like this, it's all you know and you just don't realize how special it is. Then somewhere along the way, I can remember thinking..."When I grow up, I want a marriage like my mom and dad's." They have taught us what love really is with every word, touch, and breath. Together they have found a way to make broken look beautiful and strong look invincible. They are without a doubt the heartbeat of this family and the standard to which we all strive to live up to. I sure hope as days go by, I make them proud. I know that I have been blessed with the best.
During our little photoshoot, I wanted to have some of their wedding photos in the images also. And the car that they are sitting in is a '57 Chevy---'57--the year they were married. How cool is that! Dad was a trooper and went through and did all the poses we asked him too. I am so grateful that he did for I will treasure these portraits forever. He's not one for wanting to get his picture taken much, but he stuck it out. I think I even heard a "Yes, Elaine" in there a time or two. We laughed; we giggled; and they giggled at each other. Once he called her his girlfriend. And she giggled so when he got down on one knee like he was going to purpose. When I handed them their wedding album to get some photos on the bench, I think for a while they forgot I was taking photos as they reminisced about that special day 60 years ago and about all the loved ones who celebrated with them.
I am so glad the Terry and I decided to get married on their wedding date, September 14th. Terry and I got married on my parents 28th wedding anniversary in the same church. I was wearing the same pearls that my mother had worn on her wedding day, a wedding gift from my father. A few years ago, my oldest daughter, Aubrey married Ben on September 14th---our 30th anniversary and my parents' 58th. They, too, were married in the same church and Aubrey also wore my mother's pearls. There's a lot of love packed into that very special date! I've been married over 30 years. 60 seems a looooong way off! There is still a lot of growing for my own little family. After watching them on this day, I still say, "When I grow up, I want a marriage like my mom and dad's."
Congratulations and Happy 60th Mom and Dad! You are so very loved.
