Next year will be the tenth year that Pearl and I have called Lancaster, PA home. We moved here just weeks after graduating college and getting married. We often refer to those first couple of years as the "lonely years." We had work friends and church acquaintances but felt we were perpetually in that awkward "do you really want to be our friend, or do you feel obligated to be our friend?" stage.
We joke about the time someone called to invite us over for dinner, and after agreeing we looked at each other and said giddily "we can't act too desperate, we need them!"
A lot has changed since then.
My weight. Pearl's hair length. Where we call home. Our dogs. Our jobs. And the fact we now have a two year old, Zion, and another little guy joining us any day.
But something else that has changed is that now we have lots of friends. Friends who we know actually like us and we like them.
One of those friends for us is Christi Albon.
We became friends when she was a part of LCBC Church's student ministry where Pearl and I worked. We traveled to the Czech Republic together to teach English, and, when LCBC asked me to lead the student ministry at the Lancaster City Campus, Christi helped in amazing ways--this time as a leader.
Seven years ago we took this picture at a friend's wedding:
And I'm now insanely honored that Christi has asked us to photograph her own wedding.
She's fallen in love with a great guy, Spencer. Peek over our shoulder at these couple photos from their recent engagement session, and you'll see how beautiful they are together.
Pearl and I love photographing couples, but there's something extra special when you know the back story. When you're not just capturing the moments and people, but personally celebrating with them as well. We are excited for you Christi & Spencer, and can't wait for your big day in a few months!
Happy Fourth of July,
Matt & Pearl
