I Love You To Iraq & Back

Being apart when you're in love for more than a few hours can be difficult, much-less when your loved one is away for seven months some where that isn't exactly the ideal vacation destination.

Well this was the circumstance for my brother-in-law and his girlfriend of only a year a few months at the time he left. Joey was deployed to Iraq last September. It was difficult for all of us since we're such a tight-knit clan, but it was even more heart-wrenching for sweet Christy would hadn't really been through someone she dearly loved being gone for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve, Valentines Day, St. Patrick's Day, and Easter like the rest of us had since my husband is also in the Air National Guard (he and Joey were gone at separate times for about seven months during basic and technical training). But Joey made sure to call as often as he could and even "sent" gifts from Iraq for her have during Christmas.

Needless to say, these two stuck it out, handled the deployment like veterans and have never been happier. We're all so lucky to have Christy in our lives and that she was still a big part of every occasion even though Joey couldn't be.

When it looked like Joey had a set date to come back home, I asked Christy if she would want to do a "love session" sometime shortly after his return. It was a resounding "Yes!" from them both. I was elated for many reasons, one of which being that I would get to use super cool smoke grenades and Joey would be in uniform. Which, y'all know me, I LOVE photographing anyone in uniform! Not to mention this would be a first for me having a military member dressed out (thank you for breaking your no-shave streak for me!).

It was literally storming, like a tree fell WHILE we were at the reserve, but these two were determined to make it happen; who am I to say no to that?!

Joey and Christy, I love you guys! And I truly hope you two along with everyone enjoys these (NOT ENGAGEMENT) photos as much as I do! You both are so adorable and super fun! Hopefully we get to do this "for real" sooner than later! ;-) Sorry Joey, we're all rootin' for Christy!