Photography by Katie Rivers

While I am very sad I cannot photograph Jade and Justin’s wedding, I am happy I got to meet them and do their engagement photos. This couple is an example of true, unconditional love. I say this because Jade has Cystic Fibrosis—a genetically inherited disease with no current cure. I wanted to let her say a little something for this blog post instead of me.

“CF affects my life in many ways. The constant breathing treatments, Chest Percussion Vests, numerous vitamins and pills daily and high doses of oral and inhaled steroids takes 4-6 hours of each day. Sometimes this regimen doesn’t work, and I end up in the hospital for weeks on end getting highly potent doses of IV antibiotics. All of this is very time consuming, and if a person had to take care of themselves alone it would be almost impossible. Enter my fiance Justin. He is my angel. I couldn’t do all of this without his support, and undying devotion to me and my illness. Justin doesn’t see me as a terminally ill girl. He sees me as his equal counterpart and life partner. Regardless of what we have to deal with on a day to day basis with my illness, we live our life as well and as fulfilling as possible. I used the word life instead of lives because as a couple Justin and I have only one life we share together.”

You can see the way Justin loves his Jade so clearly in the photos we took. I hope they will treasure these photos for years to come. I ask for your prayers for the both of them and if you want to learn more about Cystic Fibrosis, click here.

Holly and Jeff are really amazing people—they are tying the knot early next year and then heading off to East Africa to live, work, and minister. Holly already lives there and translates the Bible into minority languages! Jeff just finished seminary. I am truly amazed at their dedication and the way they are letting God lead their lives. Since Holly is from this area, they are getting married locally and I’m honored and excited to be their photographer… here’s a sneak peek at their engagement photos!