*Beep, beep*
Reaching over for the phone for the umpteenth text message in the past hour, the butterflies still tickle my tummy in anticipation.
“Think this guy’s the real deal,” I quietly but cautiously whisper to myself. The smile that the brief, yet flirty message brings stays fixed on my face
He’s not going anywhere. And neither is this elated feeling of happiness.
Ah, those early days of courtship; the excitement of a brand new love; the thrill in meeting your soul mate and dying to know every single detail about them.
But like with many married couples with a young family, the romance gets parked aside in the indefinite zone.
The predictability of domestic life takes over and while communication between you and your partner still exists, it’s all about how to function as a team.
The once seductive, spontaneous messages somehow transition themselves to this:
Affection and love is still there. It’s just sitting in the reserve tank for the moment. Once in a blue moon evening you find the energy to stake a claim for it.
Last year, I met the lovely Mish. Leaving the crazy pace of the corporate world, this bubbly and vivacious lady followed her love and passion for photography.
Serendipity nudged us to meet for coffee one sunny morning. Somehere out there, the Universe knew that I needed a little emotional and spiritual lift in my life.
So, when Mish asked if Mr Surfer and I would be willing to take part in her Beloved Photography, specifically set to capture couples in their most natural settings, I quickly agreed.
I knew straight away that this photo session was going to be different. Mish sent both of us a questionnaire to fill out in preparation.
It asked intimate, thought provoking questions like:
“When does your partner make you feel most loved?”
“What do you love most about your partner?”
“What are the 5 adjectives you would describe your beloved?”
And while these answers are embedded in the deepest parts of our hearts and our souls, they need to be resurfaced.
To be reminded of those feelings of devotion and adoration; to have them articulated back to us. The chance to return to base; floating back to that first day you fell in love.
While I knew it would be a special afternoon capturing some photos with Mr Surfer, I didn’t expect the outpour of emotion (and tears) in that beautiful, serene park.
The photo session was only an hour. But because we had entrusted Mish with confidential information prior, the captured moments were as real and raw as they could ever be.
Mr Surfer and I agreed it felt like we were renewing our wedding vows.
Not only do I have Mish to thank for producing some beautiful, timeless photos but for also giving us the opportunity to re-ignite all that love. Assuring us that while the romance isn’t currently in commonplace, it hasn’t gone far.
In fact, it’s still very much there. Stronger than ever.
***This isn’t a sponsored post. Mish is a personal friend and Mr Surfer and I agreed to do a complimentary photo shoot as part of her “Beloved Photography” series. Photos from the session were also kindly provided.
You can find out more about Mish’s stunning work and all about Beloved Photography over at her website and blog. You can also follow her on Facebook, and Twitter.
Joining the fantabulous Essentially Jess for IBOT
-Beautiful- I love these photos, you can see the raw emotion there.
It is so easy to get lost in the routine of ‘life’ with children.
iSophie recently posted..We don’t usually do ‘normal’.
You brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful opportunity and gorgeous photos. Rachel xx
Rachel from Redcliffe Style recently posted..Getting Ready for the big day…
Lovely post. Gorgeous pics.
My husband and I met long before texting, and before he even had email. Our courtship was hours spent on the phone (land line). We still talk many times a day by phone. But that too has become “can you grab some milk and sausages….” and “where did you leave the keys” … and “have you paid the credit card?” Still very endearing though. The communication is still there … just different.
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted..Day 1220 – A World of White
Oh this is lovely Grace, I haven’t heard of this type of photography or even thought about it. But it’s a wonderful idea. The love we have for our partners when we have kids is all so very different, it’s deeper don’t you think? And captured so well here.
Seana Smith recently posted..A Letter To My FIFO Husband About Homes, Kids and Messes
These photos are so beautiful Grace! Love that Mish asked these questions in preparation for the shoot. Romance definitely takes a back seat to survival in our household. Maybe we need a couple photo shoot x
Housewife in Heels recently posted..Week 15 Mummy Swap: GOMI Snark
Gorgeous photos Grace! I have never heard of such photography…..would love to give it a go myself.
Relationships do change, I have been with hubby for 13.5 years and married for just over 3 of them, I remember the excitement of the initial courtship and the late night SMSing…. Ah, to just be able to go back to those days just for a little while to get that feeling, that spark again. Though I must admit my hubby can still give me butterflies…. x
Jodi recently posted..A Great Teacher!
Beautiful photos Grace and what a lovely way to go about the shoot. Not only a talented photographer but a clever cookie as well
Rhianna recently posted..Writing dreams with coffee
Oh these are such beautiful moments captured! Your friend is very talented and it’s so apparent that the love between Mr Surfer and you is so strong 😉
Ai Sakura recently posted..Cousins for Life
Lovely to see the real emotion in that hug!
Emma recently posted..{10 days oh Hearts} Day 5 . Lacey Heart
Oh Grace these are beautiful.
I love a natural photo, where the photographer captures everything about you in it.
This post took me back to when boatman and I started going out. All those nights of texts, and jumping for the phone. It makes me smile just thinking about it 🙂
EssentiallyJess recently posted..A Letter to the iPhone 5 Fairy
Such Beautiful photos, it is so easy to get stuck in a rut with the mundane as a couple, especially with kids.Good on you both for “seeing”each other again
Just stunning photos of two very much in-love people – she sounds like a gem! Thanks for sharing them. And I know what you mean about the romance taking a step back to every time things! Emily 🙂
Emily @ Have a laugh on me recently posted..What do you skimp on?
So lovely to read this, Grace. I was going to say, it’s all reminiscent of wedding day photos, isn’t it? What a clever idea it is to take couples back there xx #teamIBOT
Twitchy recently posted..Change is hard. Even with new tap shoes.
What gorgeous photos – sounds like it was a very special shoot!
Mel @ Adventures of a Subversive Reader recently posted..3 Ways to Play with a 6 Month Old
She sounds like the best photographer ever. Any chance she’d come to AK and work some magic for us?
Bridget recently posted..Monday Listicles
Such gorgeous, special photos Grace! And your words are the icing on the cake. What a lovely gift from what is clearly a lovely friend.
Emily recently posted..Six-year-olds laugh an average of 300 times a day
Just divine…..the tale of reconnecting. We all need that, don’t we?
God knows I do. I’m in the trenches of unsexy chores and nappies. Sometimes I forget the bits that I love, and that we were here first.
I love this. You can see your love.
Mrs Holsby recently posted..HOLSBY TV – Minimise Your Time in the Kitchen and Save Time To Keep Yourself Nice.
These photos are beautiful Grace. What a wonderful treasure for your twins to look back upon. These photos suggest something more than the heady rush of romance. They speak of a true partnership that will stand the test of time.
PS: Aren’t the red headed hubbies just the best 😉
Mumabulous recently posted..Certainty
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful x
Catherine Rodie Blagg recently posted.."She is so fat"
Gorgeous photos Grace, what lovely memories created. It’s too easy to get caught up in the realities of life with kids, and forget to make time for each other. Thanks for the reminder x
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..A to Z of ZEN. E is for …..
What a lovely post and such fabulous pics.
Maybe hubby and I should do something like this. Oh, the love is there, but life does have a habit of getting in the way of “us” 🙂
Becc
Becc recently posted..They call it the fat mentality
Oh those photos are beautiful. That HUG – it’s awesome. But you know, “can you bring me some sausages” … it could be pretty raunchy Grace!
Rachel @ The Kids Are All Right recently posted..Breaking up is hard to do – especially for teenagers
what beautiful photos Grace! I am such a “picture person” – I have photos of everything. I’d love to get some photos of me and the hubby, and some of us with N done again soon. It’s been ages since we did!
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently posted..Saying Goodbye To Friends
What beautiful photos – you look so happy and in love. Really lovely, Mish is very talented isn’t she.
rhian @melbs recently posted..Australian Open – Mens Final
Grace! What can I say other than this photos are beautiful! They capture so well the love you share for each other.
Rita recently posted..You asked, here’s the answers
What an amazing idea – to have you both answer some questions and in the process, reconnect with each other and bring real presence to the session. It shows up in the photos for sure x
kirri recently posted..A simple method for moving from intentions to action
Hi Grace,
It’s so awesome to hear your experience and how this impacted you 🙂 I felt so privileged to be able to make a difference in both your lives and certainly felt the immense love Mr Surfer and you have for each other!
For some reason, it’s so easy for us humans to forget what’s really important in our busy day to day lives.. & my hope is that as you look at those images, you will both remember that what you both have is sooo special!
It’s so interesting to read all your other comments too… and know this resonated with other mums!
xoxo
what gorgeous photos!
sometimes we need a little nudge from life and The Universe to stop and remember what steps we took to get here
I’m so glad you enjoyed taking the photos, there is something unique about a phot shoot – nothing else comes close to it xx
Josefa @always Josefa recently posted..Birthday Wishes
Definitely beautiful! Your love sparks 🙂
Rina recently posted..My First Love Story and the Theme Song
This is a beautiful post, Grace. I felt teary reading it….or maybe I’m just tired and emotional after a long day. 😉 Thank you for recommending Mish. She sure has a special approach. It’s interesting both from a customer and possibly/maybe future professional photographer’s perspective. I’ve been thinking about formal photos lately and wondering who to look out for. xo
Veronica @ Mixed Gems recently posted..Searching for breathing space
Lovely photos Grace – it sure is easy to fall into that rut. My husband and I recently saw out 10 year anniversary pass by – without him remembering despite me reminding him. We are in a huge rut – maybe this is something we need to do…..
Kellie recently posted..So Proud Of Me
Any chance of getting Mish to NYC? We could use some “love gazing” around here. Okay, at least share the questions!
Nami recently posted..Stick It Where The Sunshines
I love those photos, they are simply beautiful! Particularly the first one, there is something about it that shows that long-lasting love, the comfort and feeling of being home with your partner.
Amazing! You will treasure them forever!
Visiting from IBOT (very late!)
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