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It’s always the little things that mean so much, isn’t it? Like, my most favorite gift-ever-from Will was not the diamond engagement ring he gave me in May of 2005, or even the pearls that came wrapped in such a pretty box with a big creamy satin bow that he sent me on our wedding day. The big things are great, but when you put thought into something, it really shows that you care about that person. It makes them feel special and wanted. The gift I always remember was the first card he ever gave to me. Hand-crafted and complete with a really sweet and quirky poem about loving me as much as an Emu (or something like that), it was the card that made me fall in love with him back in high school. I’d keep it on the shelf above my bed and would read it any time I wanted to smile.

Granted, I’m about to ruin this story by telling you that I later found out that it was the physical card an ex-girlfriend had hand-written him and had pasted the magazine clippings and letters on herself as a Valentine’s Day card the year before (it was really a beautiful and sweet card, Amanda). And all he’d done was cut the front portion of the card out and taped it to new construction paper so that he could sign his name on the blank part. But for two whole years, before I came across the other half of the card in his dresser (WHY would you save the evidence? Destroy, guys. Destroy.), I really cherished that card. Haha.

So…bad example. Anyway, in light of the things I know now, I guess I’d say Jack was my favorite gift (our 11-year old kitty cat who marks the age of our relationship and is our firstborn child; our only other two children being Sasha Fierce and Lady Feroche, the two sweetest kittens on planet Earth). Just kidding; Jack was ALWAYS my favorite gift. But since nothing really tops a pet in the gift-giving department, I had to choose my most favorite gift after that. The point was that it was so thoughtful (at least he wanted to do something sweet! He just needed a little help. And if it was real, it would have been the best card ever made by a guy. Ask my sister. She agrees.), and that the best things come from the heart. I still look back on that card with fondness because it reminds me of a time that I felt on top of the world. A time that I was falling in love.

This gift beat that. Sorry, Will. If it had stayed undiscovered that you didn’t write it, I would probably still like yours best.

It was Katherine and Will’s Wedding (Part I-haha), and I had just arrived and was getting situated in the bride’s room. Katherine’s bridesmaids were all excitedly perched on the edge of the couches laughing and creating new inside jokes. Which I now understand and feel VERY important to be in on (“What if I were to put this on my blog and make everyone else feel like they have to get me a gift for their own wedding from now on? What if?” HeheheeeReallyYouDon’tI’mSoJoking*).

At that moment, Katherine walked in (in her uber-cute pink monogrammed robe and bridal hair) and everyone cheered.  As Katherine always does, she started talking to everyone and the mood of the entire room (which you wouldn’t think would be possible to get any better) lifted. This happens every time she walks into a room, and I’m pretty sure it is one of Will’s (her Will’s) favorite things about her. I’m positive it’s one of her bridesmaids, parents, and sister’s favorite things about her. I’m not saying this because of the pretty birdies pictured here. I thought it before I even came to this wedding.

Then she asked if I saw my gift. My gift? My gift. It took a minute to process this. This is so embarrassing to say, but my hands were almost-shaking as I opened it because I was surprised to the point of almost-crying. Don’t ask me why. I think it’s because all in one sentence, I suddenly felt important. Not important like I’m-the-Wedding-Photographer-Yeah-I’m-Pretty-Freaking-Important (I already feel that on a daily basis. Haha; that was another poorly executed joke and only partially true), but important to her.

And then I saw what was inside. Two small, smooth, tiffany blue ceramic birdies. Identical to our little logo birdie.

By now, if you’re not completely enthralled in this story you’ve already rolled your eyes at least once or aren’t reading anymore. If you are completely enthralled, then you get it. You understand why this meant so much to me. Coming two months after we opened our storefront and had our Grand Opening of something I always wanted but never imagined to be this good because God is Good; As we finally start to carve our niche out in “our” little corner of Fort Worth (I love thinking of it like that. BTW, “our” area is called SOBO for those of you hip to the Fort Worth scene. I mean, we are the BO part, but SOBO can definitely extend to our side of the street); and as every single couple who hires us finally truly understands us/our work. Not only “understands us”, but likes us and wants what we do and nothing else. Our weird/honest/real/sometimes-accidentally-insulting-but-never-meaning-it-that-way/quirky/organic/old school/darkroom-loving/usually-annoying-on-my-part vibe. They deal with it because they like our photography that much, which is what really gets me.

It’s a pretty good feeling. Believe it or not, we used to be met with a little bit of skepticism because of our age; especially by old people. Haha. But sometimes young ones too, and that’s okay because that is what has gotten us to this point. It’s what makes being fully trusted now so much more special and meaningful.

I came home that night and showed Will the birdies. And re-read the card. What I want you to take away from this (long-ish…sorry) post is that thoughts do matter. Just by putting a little bit of care into something/someone (or a lot in this case, because it meant so much to me), you might totally turn someone’s day/week/month around. The things you do out in the world matter. They really do.

That’s me and Will kissing on the bench in front of University Christian Church because we’re two happy birdies.

So to sum it up, favorite gifts I’ve ever received: 1) Jack 2) Blue Birdies 3) Fake Card from Will. In that order. Thank you so much for the thing that made my year, Katherine, Sharon, and Will. XOXO, Lauren

*For Real. Don’t even think that. I almost didn’t post this and it’s been sitting in drafts for four days because I don’t want to add another gift to buy to anyone’s already-giant list. I love thank you notes very much and they are all posted on the bulletin boards in my office and do NOT ever expect a gift ever. For real. A big tip, maybe….KIDDING. I think it’s time to stop and pull my foot out of my mouth.