Love in the Woods

One of these days, my best friends are going to realize they get tortured during our sessions and stop allowing me to photograph them! Until that time comes, I will continue to take advantage of their blind trust in me.

Case in point, Kaylee and Todd Woods. My sweet Kaylee. As if it isn't difficult enough to maneuver around just being pregnant; I may or may not have volun-told her that we were going to hike up with 80 degree angle, moss covered, tree (and some thorn branches) lined hill because I THOUGHT I saw beautiful, uncut field through the clearing. And by golly up that hill she went! Luckily, the field of dreams was in fact at the top of the hill so my life was spared! I also may or may not have volun-told her she was getting in the water even though it was 50 degrees and overcast....my poor friends! It was only up to her ankles so don't come to my house with pitch forks and torches thinking I purposefully harmed a pregnant woman.

But anyway, Todd and Kaylee are very near and dear to my heart for so, so many reasons. I've known Todd since pre-school, so that would be about twenty-four years now (ugh!). Todd also lived behind my husband's parents for several years so our families are all very familiar. As for Kaylee, I've only (I say "only" because compared to three-fourths of one's life, this amount is short) known her for six years. But we hit it off instantly and have been best friends basically since the first time we met. Which isn't difficult to do with Kaylee since she is one of the most kind, caring, sweet, beautiful women you'll ever meet. You can always count on her to show up for you no matter what. Unless she is physically not within an hour of your location, she'll be there. Kaylee was actually a bridesmaid in our wedding and out of the six girls I had known her for the least amount of time. She has a way of sneaking in your heart and staying there.

Another reason she and Todd hold a special place in my heart is the fact that they credit my husband and I's wedding with the two of them meeting, then wanting to meet again, and one more time. They are such amazing people by themselves and together it's pure magic.

When my husband and I moved from St. Louis to St. Joseph, MO then St. Joe to Kansas City, Todd and Kaylee were the only ones to visit us in both locations! How loyal is that?! And by the time they came to visit us in Kansas City in 2015, they were engaged! So of course, I took some engagement photos of them with my little camera while we explored a nature preserve. Also of course, I've included some of those just for funsies(holy cow that editing *covers eyes and bangs head on desk*). Since nature is Todd's natural habitat, we always gravitate towards tree-covered locations with deer in the vicinity!

Todd and Kaylee, I can't thank you enough for allowing me to be a part of your love story every step of the way! I am so anxious to meet Miss Maybree! I truly hope you love these as much as I do.