{ Resina & Scott } - Married.

Resina and Scott.

A leap year rolled around. Resina asked. Scott said yes.

Planning a Wedding. A month out from their big day.

They thought "Lets open a Bar!"

So they did and Rhythm and Brown was created.

The thing that stood out to me the most during my time spent with Resina and Scott and all those who were a part of their Wedding, was the overwhelming amount of love and compassion.

Scott had the most attentive Groomsman that I have ever met. Each of them taking the time to make sure that everything was pinned, tied and sat in the right place.

Same thing goes with Resina and her girls. Two of whom are her daughters.

The anticipation of their first look took over me as I watched Resina make her way down the path towards Scott, who patiently waited to see his Bride.

My heart swelled to twice its size 100 times throughout the day.

So many beautiful moments.

Thank you Resina and Scott for being such beautiful people. Inside and Out.

It was such an honor to capture your day.

A.x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{ Luke & Louise }

A secret squirrel shoot. The best kind.

Spent an afternoon with these gorgeous kids and their playful dog.

The perfect Christmas gift for their Father.

I have heard from the man himself that he was quite chuffed.

A.x

   

{ 2012 }

Oh we have walked a long road to get to where we are today.

You have been quite a year.

Thanks Two Oh Twelve for being an insightful one.

I feel almost a little greedy.. with the amount of life experience and knowledge I know hold close to my heart.

Its the year Cam & I created children.

Its the year I was stripped bare. Down to nothing.

Its the year I got used to the idea of Death and Dying.

Its the year where I shared my darkest thoughts with strangers.

Its the year I learnt that my gut instinct is almost always right.

Its the year I learnt to really laugh.

Its the year that made me reevaluate my entire way of thinking.

A year spent smiling just as much as crying.

A year where I lost people dear to my heart.

A year that taught me to live.

I will never ever take anything for granted. Ever again.

I will be in control and aware of my own health and well being.

I will do all that I can to reach my full health potential.

Because. There is no way (as good of a lesson as its been) that I want to go through this again.

For my family to go through this again.

I am blessed to be sitting here today. Typing this. At the other end. Out the other side.

I hold onto the second chance tightly with both hands.

This time last year. I was preparing myself for something that I could not even begin to comprehend.

I dont know what is next. I dont know what 2013 has in store for us.

And that makes me smile.

At least I am starting this year a lot healthier than the last.

Its a good start.

To everyone that has followed me through this year. Thank you.

You have all been so kind and in your own little ways, taught me so much.

To my family. And by family I dont just mean my own. I mean Cam's Family too.

You have each played such a massive role in my recovery this last year and I will be forever grateful.

Enjoy the company you keep as you ring in the New Year. Where ever you are in this big world of ours.

Happy New Year & Lots of Love from me and mine, to you and yours.

A.x

{ Maddie & Jackson }

Being a Sibling.

Nothing quite beats it.

As I photographed Maddie and Jackson - I couldn't help but smile.

Smiling. Because Maddie reminded me so much of myself.

Her mannerisms as she handled her baby brother. The looks. The kisses.

Its super special.

Being an older sister.

Some of my strongest and greatest memories are of my brothers first few days.

The awe. Of something so small.

That has been in Mummy's tummy for a long time.

Jackson.

Like his big Sister. Is just perfect.

10 little toes. 10 little fingers. and a mighty fine grin. 

Maddie.

May the novelty of being a big sister never wear thin. 

He is your brother. and he is scrumptious.

Something so special.

A.x

{ This day. A year ago. }

This day. A year ago.

The bombshell dropped.

relief. Hanging up the phone.

Breathing in and out.

Ok. I have Cancer.

All I felt was relief.

"The Anticipation is killing me."

Its true. I can see how that could happen.

After a few weeks of tests and just general waiting - I had a direction.

A year on. What can one say?

Not a lot. No words.

Just feelings. Lots of feelings.

I looked back through my old diary.

It tells me where I was and what I was doing when. A good refresher. Its been a hazy year.

Amongst the fertility letters and blood test appointments there was a piece of paper.

A piece of paper I scribbled a goal on not long after the "affirmative.you have cancer" phone call.

All the previous goals didn't matter anymore.

I didn't want success. I didn't want money. I didn't want a holiday. ( Ok. Maybe a holiday )

I wanted to survive. Thats all I wanted.

That feeling. Of knowing that from that day on, I was never going to be the same person again.

I wont forget.

I survived. The odds were in my favor. This is true.

But.

Mentally. Physically & Emotionally. I survived.

What a difference a day makes. 24 little hours.

What a different a year makes. 365 huge days.

Nowadays I look healthy. You wouldn't know what has happened this last year by looking at me.

Just the way I like it.

In fact. A lady asked me where I got my haircut the other day.

Totally threw me. and I stammered over the words that so almost came out of my mouth.

"Oh well I had Cancer." ah. Awkward.

Instead. I just said "I actually shaved my head last year and this is how its grown back."

Leaving that Cancer thing that happened that time behind.

Today I will smile.

Because thats all theres left to do.

Please. Will you smile too?

Today, the next day, the day after that and forever. I will be thankful.

For my supportive friends & family. The supportive strangers.

And my health.

What a beautiful, bitter sweet year its been.

A.x

{ Happiness is not a limited resource }

Was shown this by a lovely lady. You dont have to watch it. but it is amazing.

A tear jerker.

Although it is Cancer related - The main point is universal. 

Over all aspects of your life. 

"The decision to be positive is not one that disregards or belittles the sadness that exists. It is rather a conscious choice to focus on the good and to cultivate happiness. Happiness is not a limited resource and when we devote our energy and time to trivial matters and distress over things that are ultimately insignificant, from that point we perpetuate our own sadness and we lose sight of the things that really make us happy and rationalize our way out of doing amazing things."

{ Christopher Aiff. 21. Osteosarcoma }

Flip that mind set. Amazing things will happen. 

I promise.

A.x

{ 2192 days }

In a second they say your whole life can change.

Its true. We would know.

One thing i am thankful for, is your constant love and support.

You have never faulted.

You are a Man. A kid at heart but a real good guy.

Things havent been smooth sailing. But like we say. We wouldn't have it any other way.

6 years ago today. You coyly asked me to be your Girlfriend.

Just down the road from where we are living now.

Its funny how we have ended up so close to where we started.

In that time we have had many trials. But more so, we have created a many good memory.

Thank you for always standing beside me.

Thank you for being you.

Always.

I love you amigo.

A.x