. . .the purple box . . .

there is something wonderful about a secret

there is something wonderful about sharing something – just the two of you . . .

there is something exciting about crawling under the covers with my husband at night and whispering about our day . . . we don’t want to wake the baby . . .

there is something exciting about sharing this place with him – knowing it’s just us.

there is something about the way he looks at me – across the room . . i know what he is thinking (he says I don’t, but I do . . . )

sometimes i catch his look – the look that says,”i love you – more than i ever thought was possible. you are mine.”

and sometimes, (if he’s fast enough,) he can catch my eye too.

my eyes that say,”i am yours.”

there is something wonderful about a secret.

This summer we were so blessed to attend and document a wedding for an amazing couple in California.

There was something wonderful about Dave and Annie.

Annie is my mothers cousin.

A dear friend.

I had never met her, though, and I only remember first being introduced to her name, when my mom called and spoke with me about how her cousin in California had lost her husband.

I was first introduced to Annie’s name in prayer.

Annie was first introduced to my name through my blog.

Through the connection of my mother, she began to visit and read the love stories that I shared through my pictures.

She would always leave such encouraging comments, and I began to feel as if I knew her.

Even though we hadn’t met, when we first spoke on the phone about her wedding, it was as if I was speaking with an old friend.

. . . such a beautiful voice – graceful . . . comfortable.

i must admit, that sometimes when i thought of this annie that my mother had told me about, i pictured a sad woman.

i think that if i lost my husband – my secret keeper – then i would feel hopeless. i think i pictured annie this way.

it was an awful assumption on my part.

she was not hopeless.

Jesus had carried her through and gifted her with love once again.

Her voice . . .her words. . . her testimony . . spoke to my heart.

She spoke of a man – a man whom she adored.

She was giddy.

Excited.

Joyful.

Hopeful.

I am learning – – slowly – -not to make assumptions.

I knew that Annie – because of the way she spoke about Dave – was completely head over heels. . . I was in no way prepared, on the other hand, for the way that Dave looked at Annie.

Every moment.

Compassion in his eyes.

Care. Concern. Love.

Every time I turned around, he was looking at her.

Excited.

Hopeful.

He looked at her . . as if they shared a secret.