Holly mother Fing Dodson.....Nichols

I recently had the pleasure of shooting the wedding of one of the most important people in my life. Holly Dodson. People ask how I knew her, who she is to me- etc... She was an ex's cousin and the first time I met her she rode her bike over to our apartment to burn a CD. Yea, old school. She was in High School and we were older so I judged and thought she looked hood with her stomach hanging out and her bleach blonde hair and holey jeans. She was one of those 'cool kids' who I never meshed much with in my High School days. We saw eachother at family functions and dinners and the next Christmas we got her maternity clothes and she was so mad. When we heard that she was pregnant- I thought nothing of it and I really don't know how or why we got closer and closer but on May 18th I took a "sick day" at work and stayed the whole day with her in the hospital when the love of my life, my Goddaughter Haylee was born. I stayed in the room from the minute after she came back in from her C section until late that night. I was present during nurse visits and checks. She wanted me there and I felt an immediate bond with her that we did not have before that day. When they brought Haylee into her room, she was still shaking so much from her epidural that she asked me to change her first diaper. I did that. I changed Haylee Faith Dodson's first diaper. And it was the first of MANY Haylee diapers that I would change. We had a bond the three of us, and so it was.
The reasons are neither here nor there but it was what it was and Haylee spent a great deal of her first three years with me. I taught her how to spell her name, her manners and when her birthday was and I watched her learn and grow. My family looked at her no different than our own. She was my biggest joy and I never once looked at my extended periods of time with her as anything more than my greatest blessing. She came at a time when I was grieving the loss of someone that left the exact shape hole that she fit into perfectly. She was my baby. I know at times I felt like I had more claim to her than I should have but she never was a burden- not for a single second. She was my responsibility. God gave her to me to love, to teach, to have and to hold- until the time came when her stars aligned once again and she would return to a routine with the ones who let me borrow her for a while.

I have seen Holly transform over the past three years in a way that I can not easily explain. I have seen and heard things that will never be spoken of again that makes Holly's current life a true miracle. I have never been more sure of God's promise of forgiveness and healing and renewal than when I look at Holly and Haylee. Brandon came into thier lives and I do not know nor need to know the details of how but he changed everything. He is the most amazing man and I am so very overjoyed that he chose to love these two amazing ladies. He loves Haylee as his own and he is so patient and kind. During my engagement session with Holly and Brandon I could tell immediately how much he loved her. He was crazy about her, could not keep his hands off of her and whatever made her happy- he would do without hesitation. He was chatting with me about the wedding details more than Holly was and you could tell that he was just beyond excited!

During the post ceremony shots Brandon was so patient and said, "Whatever my baby wants" when posed for another hundred photos. When I posed Holly with Haylee for Mother/ Daughter shots he said, "There are my girls!" It was the sweetest! Before the wedding us ladies were polling eachother on wether or not Brandon would cry or not. We ALL said yes, he would. He is the sentimental and emotionally intuned man who is the perfect match for the emotionally in need person that Holly's past has made her. She is more happy than I have seen her since I have ever known her and I love Brandon for it. His family is so kind and loving and loves Holly and Haylee with all of their hearts.

With each photo I pull up and put on the big screen I look over ever detail and I remember ever minute of that night. I remember Donna crying as Alan danced with his middle daughter on the dance floor then closed his weapy eyes, gently kissed her hand as he gave her to her husband. They bring me such joy to see the sheer happiness on her face and I can almost hear Haylee squealing as Brandon twirled her around on the dance floor. I can barely drive home fast enough to get my hands on these photos. I do nothing much else the last week or so. Work 8-5 at the office and come home and edit until 10/11pm... Many more jewels to come! Many more years of love and happiness to come for the great couple as well. <3

I love you with all of my heart Holly Dodson Nichols and I will continue to be there for you for always and forever. And of course- Haylee Faith, all my love, all my life....I love you to the moon and back.