{S}tand up and Salute!

It never rains here in San Diego. Like ever. Like never ever.

But as I sit down to write this post at this unseemly hour, I can hear the rain outside pounding against my window.

It’s times like this that I am reminded how grateful I am to have a roof over my head, food to feed my family, and a warm bed to sleep in at night.

Why do I have to be reminded of these things? I should just always be aware. But sometimes it takes the rain to bring it to my attention that I am very blessed.

I had the opportunity a few days back to take some engagement photos of the most darling couple. I knew ahead of time that {J} had two prosthetic legs, but I didn’t know why or from what, all I knew was that we were going to be a little limited as far as our photo locations were involved.

When I first met {K} + {J} I was immediately greeted by {K} with a huge warm smile and a South African accent (weird but accents don’t come across in emails?!). I have a thing for accents! I have always wanted one. I have always wanted blue eyes too…and to be able to turn invisible whenever I wanted…I feel as though I’m getting off track a little bit here…

ANYWHO!

As I often do when starting a shoot, I’m always looking for things that might be out of place such as hairbands that women ALWAYS leave around their wrists, or little kids with snotty noses (wipes, stage left!).

When I started snap-snapping away, I noticed {J} wearing a black rubber bracelet thingy. I though maybe he would like to take it off for the pics but forgot last minute to remove it. He looked at it, thought for a second, then told me he preferred to keep it on. When I asked what it was and what significance it had (I didn’t understand what EOD meant) he told me very proudly that it stood for ‘Explosive Ordinance Disposal’.

Hu? Still no clue what that meant.

An ‘Explosive Ordinance Disposal’ Marine, he explained to me, detects, diagnoses and disposes of hazardous devices (such as IED’s).

When {J} lost his legs he was on his 4^th tour of duty, this time serving our country in Afghanistan.

So, Like I was saying before…we have to be reminded sometimes of what’s important and to be thankful for those things in our everyday lives. What I really learned from my time with {K} + {J} was not only to be grateful for my legs (that’s a given), but to be GRATEFUL to the power of a ZILLION that there are men and women of this country who put their LIVES on the line so that I can sit at my computer, listening to the rain and enjoy my warm home in this wonderful country of ours. I am so thankful that {J} survived his wounds and was able to find {K} so that they can enjoy the beauties of LIFE and LOVE and MARRIAGE! They get to raise little {K+J} babies! They get to live happily ever after…

THAT is truly something to be grateful for.

PS- These two love birds are getting married August 18^th in Point Loma. If you or anyone you know would like to contribute to their wedding by offering your services {flowers, linens, printed paper products, party favors, CASH, etc..} at a discount or free of charge, please email me at Kelly.bubbaloo@gmail.com and I will forward on the message on to {K + J}. I will also make sure that your name is featured on my blog and a big shout out on FB! Let’s show {J} just how much we appreciate what he has given for you and I and for this country! Let’s give this couple their DREAM wedding;)