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W e sat and spoke the same way we did 15 years ago, except the table and chairs were different. Instead of sitting in our high school’s athletic wear and cheer uniforms on the outdoor benches in the quad, we sat on wooden chairs at a mahogany table wearing—dare I say it—adult(ish) clothes. Where did time disappear and when did we grow up? We spoke openly about our lives and how utterly crazy they’ve been in the last few months. However, even after the hubbub of shrieky hugs and kisses, it seems like no time has passed since our lives in the quad.
Today I met my best friends for lunch. We’ve been together for the absolute best—and worst—times of our lives. Births, deaths, weddings, funerals, successes, failures, happiness, and sadness. Though our lives have veered from East to West—metaphorically and literally—we’ve worked hard at keeping close and I owe a large part of who I am to such an awesome group of girls. They remind me of the person I was, and the person I want to become. And, for this, I’m forever indebted.
I hope to one day be half as good of a friend as they are to me. I love them to the core of their beings and back through their soft skin. I am blessed to be so loved.
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Virra and Ton : Wedding
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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S he speaks in such a way that every syllable is pronounced and her thoughts are articulated in a soft, gentle voice. And she loves the same way she speaks. Pronounced, articulated, soft, and gentle.
As Virra prepared to be married, sunlight cascaded into the room and caressed her smooth skin. She smiled incessantly as her bridesmaids took turns adorning her with carefully designed pieces of jewelry. They laughed, toasted, and excitedly spoke about the wedding, a special day for two such beautiful people who’ve been together through thick and thin.
Standing in the shade of a large tree—with its emerald leaves twirling in the wind—Virra waited for Ton to descend the staircase and see her for the first time as his wife. The white dress, the jeweled shoes, the diamond earrings. He noticed it all and tears of joy sloped down his chiseled jaw.
Virra and Ton spent the day reveling in each other. They kissed, they hugged, they danced. They promised, they toasted, they kissed some more. And, more importantly, they loved each other in a way everyone could see. Pronounced, articulated, soft, and gentle.
Virra and Ton, thank you for allowing JD and me to me a part of your wedding day! It was beautiful and I appreciate being with you on such a fabulous day! I think you are amazing people and if I lived in Las Vegas, Ton would definitely be my dentist! ;) Have fun on your family trip with Jaiden and be sure Ton doesn’t get too tan! ;) Much Love and Appreciation…J*
The wedding day started in Virra's room at the Montage Resort and Spa Laguna Beach... |
| I looooved Virra's makeup, so props to Sherry of On Location Beauty. I've worked with Sherry and her team before and they're simply fabulous! Also on hand was Dan of DV Artistry... |
| My good friend and fabuphotographer, Nate Kaiser of Image is Found, and I had a conversation a couple nights ago about how much he loves fairies at weddings, so I thought of him when I took this picture! :) |
| Virra and Ton chose to see each other before the ceremony and their expressions are priceless. Having a solitary moment with your spouse-to-be is irreplaceable and such a fabulous way to start the wedding day! |
| JD loved the Montage's popular blue, ocean wall, and he captured it beautifully... |
| Before this post goes any further, I need to thank Michelle and Brooke of Details, Details Wedding Coordination for their amazing services. Not only did the day flow smoothly, I had everything I needed before I even realized I needed it. As a photographer, I know it's going to be a fabulous afternoon when the first thing the coordinator gives me is a small printed card with the wedding day timeline and tells me an assistant will remain by my side for the duration of the day! It was awesomeness to the tenth degree. |
| A big thank you goes to Jaime Snyder of the Montage for her management of the day, smile, and attentiveness to detail! :) |
| After the ceremony, we had more time for wedding photos at the Montage and the surrounding beach... |
| Thanks to JD for a different angle.... |
| Michelle of Details, Details worked closely together with Virra to ensure the bride executed her vision for the reception ballroom... |
| This is just one of many, many laughs with thanks to the best man... |
| To see more of their wedding, CLICK HERE for a slideshow! |
I picked him up from the Orange County Airport last night. With Polo perched in my lap, we circled the Arrivals terminal in hopes of see the smile that always melts our hearts. JD waved from the curb and we pulled up and greeted him.
JD stayed with our friends, Todd and Elisa and he talked nonstop of their generous hospitality. Over our late-night dinner, JD recounted in vivid detail Elisa’s domestic goddessness. So, one night, she made foccacia bread from scratch. From SCRATCH! And homemade cookies for dessert! And she went grocery shopping and, guess what?! She unloaded the bags BY HERSELF! She’s a great wife and mother!
I slurped slowly from my chilled water. There were so many exclamation points in his narrative I was afraid he was going to bust a vein in his forehead. All of a sudden, the list of things I was supposed to do before JD returned—but didn’t—felt magnified. Get an oil change, fold the laundry, go grocery shopping, and make a homemade dinner for his arrival…
In attempts of regaining some wifey confidence, I cleared his plate from our Pei Wei table. I thought to myself, Heeeey, look at me, I’m domestic! Unfortunately, the bus boy told me to leave our plates at the table because they’re cleared for us. Didn’t he know I was TRYING TO BE A GOOD WIFE?!?
This morning I woke and wanted to make pancakes for JD. But then that whole Didn’t Go Grocery Shopping thing got in the way. Instead, I told JD I thought about making pancakes. Which is totally the same. Really, it is.
And here’s my all time favorite pancake song…it makes me laugh every time and I’ve watched at least a million times. I don’t know what this says about my humor (besides the fact that I still like the same things I did when I was in the eighth grade), but I think this kid deserves a recording contract… |
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Tam and Greg : Wedding
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© Jasmine Star. This post cannot be republished without permission. Stealing makes me sad. |
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H er maid of honor stood in front of the wedding guests and carefully balanced her glass of champagne and a microphone. She spoke calmly and articulated the type of person Tam was—she was kind, she never forgot an important date, she always smiled, and she cared for life’s minutia like no one else. Tam is beautiful, but her soul is breathtaking. And her newly minted husband, Greg, smiled and realized he scored one amazing wife.
His best man confidently took the microphone and fired one joke after another, leaving Greg in stitches and tears. He recounted how earlier that morning, Greg’s Blackberry calendar reminder rang and Greg turned to him and said, Hey, I’m getting married today! That’s Greg. Organized, smart, and focused. So good is he at what he does, Greg realized how special Tam was and took the steps to cross the lines of friendship and court her. The best man closed his speech with a recorded message from their Jesuit professor and the room fell silent as the profundity of his words filled the air. If they love the way God loves them—with forgiveness, joy, and unrelentingly—their marriage and lives will be filled with an overabundance of blessings.
The entire Skirball Center erupted with cheers and applause when the recording commenced. Champagne flutes were raised in their honor, and Tam and Greg shyly kissed. Their love, much like their wedding day, was beautiful and a true reflection of the passion they share for each other.
Tam and Greg…thank you for embracing me and allowing me to share in your day, not just document it. There were times when I looked over to you and our eyes met, revealing just how happy I was to be there, fully enveloped in the moment. You are two of the sweetest people I’ve ever encountered and reminded me just how lucky I am to do what I love. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Much Love and Appreciation…J*
Tam's adorable Kate Spade wedding shoes... |
| Tam and Greg had a First Look at Loyola Marymount University, their alma mater and where they met...I LOOOOOVE when a bride and groom see each other before the ceremony because it allows the day to flow so much smoothly and we get plenty of time to shoot pictures! :) |
| I'm posting this picture because it made me laugh when I looked through these images. The bridesmaids asked to take a picture of me and Tam and it was hilarious because there was like six cameras pointed at us and I felt so funny on the other side of the camera, so I had to take a picture of them too! :) |
| After the wedding ceremony, we went to the Skirball Cultural Center for their reception and had more time for wedding photos! |
| I really like this photo, but I'm a little partial to it because a security guard asked us to leave this gated path...but after I convinced him that I'd shoot for just one minute--and it'd mean soooo much to the bride and groom--he said for us to hurry! Thanks Tam and Greg for climbing over the staircase and through the thicket! ;) |
W hen I hung up the phone, I wondered if I returned to my pessimist roots. I spoke with my sister this morning and we speculated our mother’s biopsy results. She sighed more than necessary and told me I worried too much. It’s nothing, I promise, she said. She’s the Half Full Twin, and, well, I guess I’m the Half Empty Counterpart.
The results came back today and my mother’s bloodcount was abnormal. Doctors say she needn’t worry, but she’s scheduled to see a surgeon to discuss the severity of her case. I don’t know where this leaves us besides in a constant state of faith and hope. And a little fear.
My sister sobbed into the telephone this afternoon and—just the same way as when we were young—I took the Half Full role. It’s nothing,I said, I promise. She went on to explain that she wasn’t fearful of cancer, persay, but wondered when all of this—the never-receding shadow of cancer—would disappear. It was tough seeing our mother so ill. And the memories still sting.
I have to admit, however, that I’m feeling okay. Yes, I cried today, but also prayed a whole lot. And it helped. It helps. I suppose I wouldn’t be person I aspire to be if I was only happy in happy times. When I can feel joy in the darkness, peace in turmoil, and serenity in a storm, I’m that much closer to God. And for this, I’m grateful.
The good news is that I had a good laugh when I picked up Polo from the groomer a couple hours ago. His haircut was so atrocious I didn’t recognize him! I stood in the lobby and laughed as he jumped all around me, looking more like a goat than a Maltese. It felt good to laugh and lessened the sting.
I bought Polo a coat in attempts to make him look less silly, but I think I missed the mark! ;) |
2013
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2012
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2011
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