Life Partner
Is it normal to have trial and error in relationships? Of course, but what is normal? I believe we all have our own definition of normal, so I guess it's subjective.
It's a life choice to keep the one after you find the one, some will, some won't, and that is okay. I am fortunate enough to choose and keep my one, and it's so good! He is my life partner, husband, father, brother, and son. Before we said I do, I knew we would be life partners. But, everyone's timeline is different. Mine went as, so I was recently out of a long-distance relationship. I was done with dating. I had made the decision to give up on finding my life partner. I honestly thought I was old and would never find love. I was in my late teens. (Insert eye roll here) Out of nowhere, I received a sticky note saying,
“Text me when you get out of work.” - Cody
It took about 3 to 4 business days to text this guy. So when we went on our first date, it was awkward, fun, and adventurous. After our first date, we texted day and night up until our second date. After that, we went to a football game, the third we went to the haunted houses. By the fourth date, we drove to Dallas, TX, and had our first vacation together. That weekend I moved in. In this short period, I knew I was with my one. Long story short, we met in October, moved in together in November, and became engaged in December. We started the wedding planning and became husband and wife in April. This all happened in half a year. As I write this, we are currently in our seventh year married.
What I have learned in these seven years is marriage shouldn't be difficult. It's a partnership. There will be disagreements and compromises, but it hasn't been hard. We've experienced love, death, life, depression, happiness. All these ups and downs have been a ride, and having my life partner by my side feels right.
Now, Vanessa, What is your point? We've heard your love story before. My point is. I believe you don't have to be married to your life partner to consider them family.
Before this session, my cousin texted and asked if her partner could join the session. My first thought was, of course, he could join he is family. Then I immediately realized she wondered if he could participate since she didn't write his name down when filling out the initial form. It has been a great joy to photograph this family, and it brings me so much happiness knowing my cousin found her life partner.