The Laynie's Speech.

[Mel, I am drinking an iced chai as I write this. It was only appropriate.]

Chris and Melissa are officially married (!!!)

Their wedding was more stunning than I even imagined (and my hopes were high). It was perfectly them-classy, comfortable, cozy, chic-and really, Really FUN.

Aren't they just SO good looking? I know.

Once upon a time Melissa emailed all her bridesmaids and asked if any of us would be willing to give a toast at their wedding. I wrote back and said something like "well...you know giving speeches isn't necessarily my forte...but I will if no one else wants to."

Because obviously there were 3 other girls who would jump at the chance.

Fast forward two weeks to me opening an email from Melby saying "Guess what? You're the speech girl."

I love Melissa with huge chunks of my heart so I set out to write this speech with all the eloquence in my possession.

I am not 100% sure what actually came out of my mouth Saturday night, but it was supposed to go something like this:

I was excited when Melissa asked me to give a speech at their wedding and immediately started writing out my list of "Melby memories."

...random roadtrip with a gnome? check.

-Melissa converts half of our team of girls to order chai in the exact same way she loves it? check.

-The boy I half-way, maybe liked declaring his love to Mel right outside my bedroom window? check, check.

But the more I've thought about our memories-and, Melissa, we have had a beautiful journey-the more I got excited about the significance of Today and all that is ahead of you with Chris.

You are two of The Most Incredible people I have ever met [and, at 30, I have met A Lot of people]. You are both so caring, so thoughtful, so genuinely kind. And absolutely the Most Selfless People I have Ever Known.

I don't have time to share all the stories of ways Mel has loved me and her other friends through the years. Notes, gifts, questions and spontaneous visits. Melissa loves her friends like no other.

You have taught me what it means to be a good friend.

I have learned so much from you over the years and look forward to learning more in the years to come. With all sincerity I can say that I leave our every interaction feeling challenged, loved, seen, and closer to God and the world around us than before.

It's been wonderful to watch you and Chris grow in your strengths and heart as you have grown to love each other in the last few months. 

I know that as you love God and love each other well, He is going to lead you into some amazing adventures in the coming years. I keep seeing the book Oh the Places You Will Go by Dr. Seuss when I think of the two of you. I think you will look around in even the first years of your marriage and be Blown Away by the doors God opens for you and the way He leads you and blesses you.

And Chris you should know that Melissa and I recently renewed our "friends for life" vow which is going to mean raising our kids together, owning neighboring houses, perhaps arranging some marriages between our offspring and of course getting some matching rocking chairs for the front porch when we are 80.

So let's all raise our glasses to

lifelong friendships

the author of our love stories

God's amazing grace

second chances

surprise beginnings and

happy endings.

And, of course,

to the newest and most beautiful bride and groom-

Melissa and Christopher Smith.

Oh man, I love you two.

Kelby & Matt {contest entry}

Beauty and the BeaZ

I remember the day my heart opened.  I remember talking to Matt over a chai soy latte beneath a big green umbrella.  I remember feeling like I could see something in his eyes that I could call “home”…

I lived most of my life as a dreamer.  When I was a little girl, I loved to daydream and imagine the adventures that were out there waiting for me.  There was something wild and exciting, i just knew it!  I would feel a stirring in me to go and find it.  It usually came in a whisper at the end of the day when everything got quiet and I was left to sit with God.  But the story I find myself in, didn’t unfold like the one I saw in my head.  It was better!

The first time I saw Matt Beasley was at a friend’s house. I was getting ready to leave the life I knew to do a school at Youth With A Mission in Kona. Filled with fear about what this step would mean, I hoped that time with close friends would calm me down. Laughter and prayer helped to settle my anxious thoughts that night. What did not make me feel better was the visitor from YWAM; a big southern boy who continued to stare at me from across the table. I left unnerved by his intense gaze that seemed to be searching me. As I walked out to my car, I prayed, “Oh Lord, I didn’t think about how there will be men at YWAM. I am not interested in missionary men!  Keep them away please!”

When I got to Kona to do my school Matt was away on a mission trip in Mozambique, Africa.  He was basking in the joy of being with the little ones that burn most on his heart… the orphans.  While he was loving the land of beans and rice, I was flying to the land of ice. My outreach took me to Reykjavik, Iceland, where I encountered the Lord in a way that would change things forever. I realized that I was not going back to life as I’d known it. My heart burned for the nations of the earth and I began to feel that a big adventure was just around the corner.

The first time I talked to Matt one on one, I was sure he was not my husband.  He had ditched some friends to walk me through the Kona campus to my room. I didn’t expect such an intense conversation. He began to tell me about his excitement towards getting married one day and how he couldn’t wait to experience more of God’s love through that bond. I awkwardly encouraged him that he was sure to have an amazing marriage with a wonderful girl. I was relieved to reach my steps where I quickly ran up to my bed and prayed, “Lord, I think this man may be attracted to me! I am not interested! Bring his wife to him and bring her fast!”

Matt smiles when I tell this part of our story and says in his southern twang, “Yup, she shot herself in the foot!”

A woman’s heart opens as the man takes bold moves to pursue her; as he fights for her, risking it all, in selfless hope that he may see her heart come alive.

One night, after weeks of placing himself by me as much as he could, Matt said, “Kelby, I really like you. You’re a woman of God, you’re beautiful and you’re fun as crap. I’d like to know if I could take you out sometime?” At these words my heart began to beat fast.  All of a sudden he wasn’t just the funny southern boy that appeared everywhere my friends and I were. He was a man sitting beside me telling me I was beautiful. I froze, became tongue-tied and could barely say two words as he drove me home.

Following this question, there were dates filled with my favorite things; pasta, gelato and a man who sings. There were dozens of hand-crafted cards delivered to my room filled with quotes and art that moved deep parts of me. There was a man who would relentlessly pray that my heart would thrive, who would weep at the thought of God being so kind to lead him to my side.  And in my attempts to run away, I fell for Matt Beasley, harder than I knew was possible to fall.

The story both ends and begins on a mountain side where Matt gave me a ring. He washed my feet and told me that he wanted to serve me for the rest of my life. His tears fell on my lap as he said that this is what Jesus did for us. I starred back into the eyes of the most beautiful man and realized I was looking at the biggest adventure I’d ever know.

our first date.

"Southern boy comes home to the island to meet the family"

Give me that ole' Time Photography.

Our sweet and amazing Argentian friend, Lalu, wanted to do a "vintagy photographer" shoot with Layne before we left Buenos, so here it is....

Whhhaaaaa? A Blonde Anne?! Sacrilegious.

There are no words to describe the shock, the horror, the absolute...un-sacredness of any media company trying to convince the masses that Anne of Green Gables is a curvy blonde.

It's just Rude.

Since I've read the series (yes, all 8 books) about 7 times I deem myself a professional "Anne of Green Gables" critic/commentator and hold the right to take strong stances about anything relating to her. i.e. the third movie put out by Kevin Sullivan a few years ago. Also rude. I threw pillows at the t.v. and have refused to watch it since.

Why can't the masses just see and love the skinny red-headed Anne that Lucy shared with us. Why I ask?!

I am all about creative license people, but there are lines...and the line here just got obliterated to the point of no return.

[Annie H.-you are the only blonde Anne for me!]

Insert a bit more dramatics and perhaps a strong word or two here. daljdafjldf jldfljjladjkldaf jldfdfajjl.

Hmmphh.

Really, there are just no words.

You can read the rest of this insane update here.

Wedding Week!

It is so fabulous being in Redding with some of our dearest friends in the world and celebrating together the joy of Chris and Melissa's wedding.

We can't promise consistent blog posts in the next few days, but here are a few snap from yesterday, just because we can't resist.

Yesterday we were able to hang out with Mel and Chris for a couple of hours in the afternoon. We grabbed coffees and went for a short walk. They didn't say one thing about  their wedding-only asked us questions about our trip, life and the business. That's just who they are.

I have never seen Mel this happy and peaceful. I love it!

Jono's "mustache" hairs are large and in charge these days after a month of no maintenance.

You can't see it but there is a forest fire in the distance.

Why is my neck so looooong?

p.s. You'll see some Chuck/Anna photos when they stop being so sick. :(

Family Portrait Day.

Before we left Buenos, we did a mini "family shoot" with one of our beloved track teams.

Kelsey, Katie, Kyle, Stephnie, Sarah, Hannah, Marielle, Alyssa & Jillian-we love you soooooo much. ...and we miss you already.

Sending you kisses....(the slobbery kind.)

p.s. How did the pool photo happen again...? Hmmmm. :)

A little Love Note to my dearest Melissa....

As you read these words, Jonathan and I are somewhere over the the Gulf of Mexico-we are traveling from Buenos up to Redding, California overnight on Monday and land around 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Our dear friends Chris and Melissa get married this Saturday (woot, woot) and we are rushing to celebrate with them.

Their wedding is sure to be charming and full of all the things Melissa so values-like friends, beauty and good conversation. We are stoked.

And we are so grateful to celebrate with these dear, dear friends.

It's funny-when I met this Christopher a year ago, I didn't know the role he would soon be playing in "our" lives. He's an amazing man of God and I couldn't be happier to see my beloved friend with someone so incredible, someone who loves her so well.

Melissa and I met in the spring of 2007...Mel, it's crazy to realize that's already been 6 years....

Great American Donut shop in Bowling Green. Classic.

[In my world, every day was twin day in D.C.]

Mel-we have lived through a lot of seasons together. From the house of prayer in D.C. to a week in Kansas City, to road trips to Michigan to a spontaneous weekend at my mom's house in Kentucky, I am grateful for our hours of talks about life, love and all the depths of our hearts. [Over and over again.]

From early morning Starbucks dates...to middle of the night Starbucks dates...you know all my fears as well as my hopes and dreams. You hold my secrets so carefully.

Melby, I love that you are the most loyal of friends, generous and full of depth. I love the way you ask questions, see the world around you and care for those in your life oh-so-well. You are amazing and I'm more grateful than these small words can convey to call you one of my dearest and most cherished heart friends.

I am honored and so happy to stand up beside you on Saturday...and for the rest of our lives. So here I come to celebrate with you in all the special moments of your wedding week. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Engagement!

Our time with Thelma and Ariel was hilarious as our Spanish is a bit spotty and their English is non-existent. But we had so much fun exploring a tiny corner of the city with these two love birds. They are getting married in April and their love is exploding out of them-we didn't even need to direct the shots.

Anddddd Vote!

Howdy folks, we have 11 days left in our Free Wedding Photography Contest and votes have been coming in every day. Not going to lie-it's been pretty exciting.

If you haven't already, reading these love stories would be the perfect bedtime story to close out your weekend this Sunday evening.

So snuggle into your covers, make some hot tea and read away. And remember to comment on your favorite story!

Once upon a time...

Katie & Tyler

Chelsea & Daniel

Rachel & Micheal

Jessica & Darrell

Laurin & Rodrigo

Little Things That Make our Hearts Smile Big.

[Where's the grammar in that?]

We love airports, taking photos, books, good coffee and our friends.

We like thin black gel pens, living in Brantford, cutting the grass, our apartment and clean refrigerators.

We are grateful for time with PhotogenX teams, new lenses [seriously, thank You, Jesus], heart conversations and the clothes on our backs.

We love it when we fall asleep to rain on the roof, we wake up beside each other, we get notes of the snail mail variety, we have a dessert date night on an outside patio [last night!], and when we get to dance at our friends' weddings [Mel & Chris we are cominggggg].

AND, We also love seeing hits on our blog from All Over The World. Come on!