We all have our own story.  We all come from different walks of life.  Just as each couple has their own love story.  One of my favorite parts of being a wedding photographer is meeting with a newly engaged couple and hearing their love story.  They are so excited to share how they met and how he proposed.  They usually each have their own version of their story too.  I never tire of hearing their love stories.  Often couples ask me about my love story with Farmer J.  So I have decided to share our love story with you, from “Hello” to “I do”.

Our Love Story, Part Two: The First Date

Our Love Story, Part Three: The Breakup

Our Love Story, Part Four: The First Date, Round Two

Amber + Jason Eleven Year Anniversary

Amber + Jason Twelve Year Anniversary

Amber + Jason Fourteenth Year Anniversary

Amber + Jason 15th Year Anniversary

It was the spring of 2001, my senior year of high school.  I just had experienced a break up; and while at softball practice, I was describing to my teammates what I was looking for in a young man.  My assistant softball coach, Angel, overheard our conversation; and she shared that she knew the perfect guy!  Angel’s soon-to-be husband had a cousin, Farmer J, that she wanted to introduce me to.

A few days later, we were traveling home on the bus from a softball game in Red Bluff, and Angel announced that Farmer J was currently at the Chico State track watching his sister, Kelli, race.  Angel wanted me to go with her to the track meet to meet Farmer J.  (Remember, there was no Facebook nor social media to stalk Jason and see what he looked like or to see if we shared any mutual friends.)  I remember trying to back out of these plans, because I must have stolen a base. I remember looking down, and I had dirt all over the front of my white Vikings’ jersey.  Angel did not think this was a reasonable excuse to bail, and she told me I was going.  I called my parents to let them know that I wasn’t coming home immediately.

I remember walking up to the track and seeing Farmer J standing right next to a popular senior boy at school.  I was now extremely nervous; because not only was I about to meet Farmer J, but I also had to acknowledge the boy from school and have him witness my exchange of hellos with Farmer J.

I do not remember what we said when we first met, but I do remember going to Round Table after the track meet with Angel and Farmer J’s family.  I got up to refill my drink and asked Farmer J if he wanted me to refill his drink too.  When I returned with both of our drinks, I handed him what I thought was his drink. As soon as I sat down, I remembered that I mixed up the drinks; and I rambled something crazy about not knowing which drink was whose!  Still today, Farmer J does not think it was a big deal; but I still remember the nervous butterflies when I messed up our drinks.

That evening when I was in the shower, I distinctly remember washing my hair and thinking “I am going to marry that man”!