Dear Tommy,
Yesterday morning I woke up to find you missing from our bed and I looked at the time and saw it was 7:35 a.m. Because it was Thursday, I quickly realized, you had just left to take Cheyenne to school. When you saw how exhausting it was for me to wake up every morning on 3 or 4 hours of sleep and drive Cheyenne to school, you offered to take her on Tues/Thurs so I could sleep in … I know that you are NOT a morning person, but I know that what you love even beyond your sleep, is me, and I can’t thank you enough for that
I don’t even know how many birthdays we’ve celebrated together now, I have lost count, but I know it’s a lot. We no longer go bananas on buying each other gifts because our lives are already full with everything we need and more, and I like it like that. But beyond our new home full of everything we could hope for is our love for our teenager, our new addition Marnie, and of course each other … and I feel lucky everyday to have you, that’s for sure.
Thank you for being my best friend, my cuddle buddy, the man who takes our pup for pee breaks at 2 a.m., the man who accompanies me at 3:30 a.m. when there’s breaking news I have to cover and my partner in everything. Oh yeah and my personal driver HA! Because you know it’s just weird when we’re in the car together and I’m driving … plus you know I need to put my makeup on and take naps LOL. It feels like the past couple years I have been living in a fog from work, stress, and teenagerhood LOL. And during those times you catch me in a daze or with a look of worry on my face, you always know just what to say or do. There have been times this past year you have walked into the room and knew instantly that I had been crying, and then you let me vent, complain and de-stress. It’s a wonder you don’t check me into a mental health clinic because you think I’m crazyBut I love you so much for your patience, love and understanding. Through all the crazy ideas I’ve had over the past years, you are always there to support me and cheer me on no matter what. Those nights when I talk to you in the dark and share my fears, my hopes and dreams before we go to sleep are so precious to me. Even when you know what I have in mind is a little nuts or farfetched, you still stand next to me and hold my hand. Your faith in me and in us fuels me to wake up everyday with new hopes and dreams. I honestly could not ask for a better partner in you.
For some reason, I feel like we are starting a new phase in our love story with lots of exciting things to come. And I am excited that I get to share whatever lies ahead with you. I love you with all my heart … Happy Birthday My Love.
Your Wife,
MSS
P.S. And because a post is not a post without photos … here are a few images from our past year together from the wonder that is my iPhone
Growing up in the city of Cerritos, I was surrounded by a bevy of colors and cultures. Since my first days at Leal Elementary, I remember looking around at my classmates and seeing every shade of color … brown, white, yellow, black. I grew up knowing and embracing a melting pot of race, culture, and religion. It was the world I knew … well, at least part of it …
The other half of my childhood, outside of school, was spent at a dance studio. I had dance class at least 4 times a week — and I lived and breathed this lifestyle for about 8 years. And while it provided me with a great foundation and work ethic, it was also was the breeding ground where I developed a complex about what I looked like. It was during my dancing days when I began to question the definition of beauty, and actually, what it meant to be “normal.”
Yep, I, the short, brown skinned girl with dark, wavy hair and brown eyes found myself surrounded by what everyone around me at the time labeled as beautiful + perfect … blonde hair, blue eyes and a tall statuesque size 4 frame — everything that was NOT me.
(Side note: I am Filipino and that means family + happiness revolves around good eats and having your aunts shove a plate in your face as soon as you walk in the door to every family function! So how the heck am I supposed to be a size 4 when rice is served during every meal? And everything my family makes taste like heaven? LOL)
I was in all sense, the ugly duckling for many years, surrounded by beautiful and elegant white swans. And during that time in my life, I often found myself praying and wondering daily why I was so different from everyone else. I remember wishing I had blonde hair and blue eyes, and hoping that my skin just wasn’t so … brown, and struggling with the fact that I would never be a tall, statuesque beauty like the girls that surrounded me. To say the least, it was hard to look so different, and sometimes I admit, those insecurities still find a way to crawl into my head even till this day as a 30-something woman.
It honestly wasn’t until my 30s that I slowly began to realize that not looking like every image on the cover of a magazine was perfectly OK. Ironically, I am now trying to teach my own teenage daughter this very same lesson — of being healthy, but accepting your imperfections and learning to embrace what you’ve got … curves, dimples, cellulite, random breakouts of the skin, bad hair days and all. (But really, why the heck do I sometimes have random breakouts in my 30s? What is up with that? I demand justice!!! And yes, I do obsess over the slightest sign of a wrinkle, I am still human LOL)
Part of the lifelong journey of accepting who I am was fast-tracked about two years ago when I first picked up a camera and developed a love affair with photography. It’s funny how you start to look at the world so differently through the frame of a lens …
- I began to notice the way a mother’s eye sparkles when she looks at her children …
- The way a man’s heart flutters the first time he sees the love of his life on their Wedding Day …
- The special moment when a father holds his baby boy in his arms for during their first photo together …
- The way an 80-year-old man holds his wife’s hand and they chuckle together, a sweet sound of laughter they’ve shared for decades …
- The glimmer of light that radiates from a woman’s smile the moment you tell her she looks ridiculously beautiful …
By living through my camera I’ve realized that beauty comes in so many different shapes, sizes and colors. There is beauty in every connection, every emotion, every smile and tear. There is truly a breathtaking and incredible quality in every person you come across — be it physical, spiritual, mental — we all have something “beautiful” to offer this world. This, is a priceless lesson I continue to learn with every click and photo I take, and one that reminds me that being beautiful means so much more than being a size 4 with sparkling blue eyes and flawless skin.
The funny thing is, every time I photograph a woman, the first request is always: “MarieSam, PLEASE make sure I don’t look fat!”This dire plea comes from gorgeous skinny women to my beautiful curvy gals as well. And trust me, I do the same thing!! Full disclosure: I have seriously perfected the angle of tilting the camera to look as slim as possible LOL. PS — if you need to know how this works, just message me *HOLLA*
That said, I honestly don’t think the pressure to conform to the mainstream standards of beauty will ever go away. But I do think that as parents — especially mothers — we can do a lot to teach our kids that being a beautiful person encompasses so much more than just looking like a “cover girl” or the handsome celebrity that all the girls love.
Growing up as the little brown girl with wavy hair, apple cheeks and thick waist and short legs, I have come to realize that being a beautiful person means being strong, confident, fearless, kind, intelligent, giving and in all honesty … being fierce! The days I feel the most beautiful are ones when I’ve done something to truly help make a difference in someone’s life — be it making them smile when they are in pain, making them laugh on a crappy day, or inspiring them to action in a moment of despair. When I can impact someone in a positive way, these are the days I feel most whole. (But I’m not gonna lie, I am still a woman, and I do like to get dolled up every blue moon and hear a whistle or two every now and then)
In truth, some of the most beautiful people I have ever met in this world would not fit into the “type” you expect to see walking down a New York city runway. Instead they are people who make this world sparkle a little brighter simply because of who they are — as people. And that to me is the kind of beauty that never ever fades.
If you have read all of what I just wrote — THANK YOU for stickin with meI know, I talk too much — that’s the journalist in me LOL. But there is a reason for all this … I have had an announcement brewing in my heart + mind for so many months now, and I am so happy to finally be able to say that I’ve launched a new line of beauty photography that focuses on highlighting the beauty, strength and spirit of a woman. In a gist … I LOVE being a womanBut this self-acceptance has been a lifelong journey that I am still trying to weather through each and every day. In the meantime YES … I want to scream to the world … besides being a wedding and portrait photographer, I’m also a photographer of women — a beauty photographer who relishes in the opportunity to take your photograph. And I want to help women realize they are a gift to this world and they deserve to feel beautiful in their own skin.
Here’s a peek of some of the images I’ve taken of an incredibly wonderful bunch of women of different paths and different stories — single, married, mothers, working women, businesswomen, homemakers, thin, curvy — but all with one thing in common … they are like me and you — sometimes unsure, some days tired, sometimes in need of a boost — but at the end of the day … they are fierce, they are fabulous and they are women!!!
All that said … here’s a link to my new website dedicated to Beauty Couture by MarieSam Sanchez – there are lots of changes and additions I will be making on the site, but check it out to see some incredible “Before + After” photos of these lovely ladies. In the meantime this new journey of mine has begun … lots more details and info on specials coming soon!!! And of course, if you are interested in a session … HOLLA, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to photograph you
We told people we met at a frat party at UCLA. It was “our story” for a long time. Those who knew the real story know, I was the biggest nerd during my days at USC and the closest I ever got to a fraternity party was watching one on TV. Plus, what the heck would a Trojan ever be doing on the UCLA campus? HAHA Sorry, I couldn’t help it.
In truth, Tommy and I actually met in an AOL Chatroom. Yep, believe that. In a world of a million usernames and racy, sexy profile pictures. WuJuniorX caught Msam007562′s eye, and vice versa. Oh and trust me, there were no racy photos to gawk at — his photos were of himself in Bruin attire. Mine were of me and my 4-year-old baby girl. Today we tell our story freely and with laughter, but completely without shame and knowing in the vast and crazy internet world, we found each other because it was meant to be.
When we had our first Skype chat with Lucy + Thomas, I saw a similar laughter and twinkle in their eyes when we asked them how they met. For these two beautiful people, their bridge to each other was on Craigslist. Thomas posted a rare poem by Saul Williams titled “This Type of Love” on a personal ad and she happened to click on it and read it. Ironically, Lucy had heard the poem before even though this poet’s work wasn’t widely known and because of this, it drew her in like poetry in motion. So she sent him a message and the minute she clicked send, so began their love story …
Here are a few of our favorite images from this gorgeous couple’s engagement session in Venice! Lucy + Thomas, thank you for christening our first visit to the Venice canals with your love, laughter and beautiful smiles. We truly cannot wait to capture your Wedding Day xoxo!!!
Special appearance by their love bug, Ricki!!
Since I first pick up a camera in 2010, I’ve learned so much more than the X’s O’s of being a photographer. Photography has helped me learn about myself, about others and about the way I look at life in general. It has truly opened my eyes to a world I would have never imagined and for that I am so grateful. But one of the things I’ve learned and am reminded of each and every day is that … photography is a gift. It is the gift of capturing precious moments with the click of a button, a way to tuck the footprints of your life into a safe place, a wonderful way to remember and relive a moment that you hold close to your heart. This gift means so much to me and I have always been an obsessive gift-giver, so I guess I’ve truly found my calling
Last year a colleague from work (as a journalist) purchased an session to gift to one of her closest friends, Alice and her fiance Angel. They already had a photographer for their wedding, but my colleague Christina, wanted to give them an engagement session. These are gestures that warm my heart because I honestly don’t think there’s a better gift than photos … although maybe I’m a bit biased?!
Here are some of our favorite images from this lovely couple’s engagement session at Irvine Regional Park in Orange, CA. It was a gorgeous day filled with sunshine and love notes ~ the kind you find on a music sheet, because during our session, Angel pulled out his guitar and played a special song for his gorgeous bride-to-be. How ridiculously sweet is that? Yep, sunshine and music sprinkled with love, it was perfect …
Special thanks to Christina for sending Angel + Alice our way! We had such a great time capturing this special time in their lives. And warm hugs to this beautiful couple ~ hope your Wedding Day was filled with absolute bliss!!!
“So what do you have planned for your birthday?” a friend asked me last year. “Actually, Tommy and I are shooting a wedding that day … and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I replied with a smile.
It’s true. In my 2.5 years as a wedding photographer, I’ve spent two birthdays now shooting weddings and frankly, spending the day celebrating the union of two people in love couldn’t make me happier and more grateful for life and all its blessings. I honestly couldn’t think of a better way to ring in a new year than documenting one of the happiest days of a couple’s lives with a grand ol’ party
During my most recent birthday, Tommy and I had the honor of photographing Alfred + JoAnna‘s wedding celebration in Dana Point. The festivities began with a beautiful ceremony at St. Edwards the Confessor Catholic Church in the Dana Point hills, and later made its way to a gorgeous oceanview reception at Cannons Seafood Grill Restaurant in Dana Point. We had a great time photographing this fun-loving pair during their engagement session a few months prior, so we knew the Wedding Day would be epic. They are the sweetest couple and their families are simply amazing and so much fun! And as you’ll soon see in the photos … this bunch really knows how to DANCE!!!
Before I share some of our favorite moments of the day, here’s a list of the wonderful vendors and information on the details that helped make this day so special for this awesome couple:
Wedding Ceremony: St. Edwards the Confessor Catholic Church, Dana Point
Wedding Reception Location/Caterer: Cannons Seafood Grill Restaurant, Dana Point
Photography: MarieSam Sanchez Photography
Cake/Bakery: Heidelberg Pastry Shop
Florist: The Flower Girl
Makeup/Hair Stylist: Tiff from Legends Ladera Salon
DJ: Moondance Mobile Music (Jeff Holmes), djmoondance@gmail.com
Dress Designer/Bridal Shop: Maggie Sottero/Bridal Corner (Chicopee, MA)
Bride’s Shoes: Kelly & Katie Dahlia Pump (purchased from DSW.com)
Bride’s Veil: Etsy.com
Groom’s Suit Designer/Vendor: Calvin Klein, Men’s Wearhouse
I loved our bride’s reaction when she first saw herself in the mirror … yes JoAnna, you are stunning!!!
This is seriously one of my most favorite shots. EVER!!! The love shared between Alfred + JoAnna’s parents was so infectious and beautiful ~ this was a shot I knew I had to haveDid I mention how fun-loving and awesome this bunch was? Including the priest — see top left photo, yes those are bunny ears he placed behind our beautiful brideI took this shot in hopes of capturing the awesome details on the guys’ socks … little did I know the real gem in this photo was the capture of them reacting to my instructions up top. HAHAHA!!!
Alfred + JoAnna made sure to give us plenty of time to take photos of them following the ceremony ~ “time” is a wedding photographer’s gold. So glad we had enough time to photograph this loving pair … they are truly so beautiful together and made our jobs so easy …
Their touching ceremony was followed by an incredible reception filled with lots of special touches and gorgeous and bright details …The special dances they shared with their parents were filled with so much love + emotion <3
And yes they totally danced their hearts out into the darkness of the night!!!
Alfred + JoAnna, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for letting us spend such a beautiful day with you and your families and friends. Your celebration was filled with so many incredible moments of love, laughter and joy and we felt so lucky to be there to capture it all. Much love to you both and many blessings for a life together that is filled with the happiness that surrounded you on your Wedding Day!
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This was the best blog I have read because it shows how much you love your husband. Thank you for sharing the love you have for Tommy to your followers. You both are amazing people with a huge heart. Daniel and I wish you guys the best with so much love and happiness.