Richmond Indiana Wedding Photography:: Lindsay and BJ

We met by unusual circumstance. I walked into the cream colored, barren hospital room to find her sitting by my father, speaking gently with him. Her manner was calming to him, soothing words as soft as velvet made his eyes soften. And as we worked together to help him complete daily tasks such as washing his face and brushing his teeth, it was there that I learned we both shared a fate no daughter wants to know. Both our fathers had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. We knew the hand that had been dealt to them, and to us.

Since that day in the hospital, Lindsay and I have kept in contact; sharing tears, sadness, stories, small amounts of hope, but more than anything just knowing that someone else has understood the path our families walk. And we’ve talked about the amazing gift she possesses: the ability to calm and connect with patients, the ability to care so whole-heartedly. Perhaps it’s by no accident that we met, that she so delicately cared for my father, and that soon she would be caring for her own. All these experiences part of the ingredients, along with pursuing a nursing degree, that will make her the most amazing of nurses.

She was also in love with a guy named BJ.

Lindsay first saw BJ when he was training with the drug task force, and they would come in to eat lunch at Joe’s Pizza. She worked at Joe’s for 4 years-through her first degree. One day Lindsay delivered pizzas to the courthouse and rode the elevator with BJ. She had a HUGE crush on him but never spoke with him. She admired him from afar for roughly a year. Finally they talked-he swept her off her feet-and they decided to make it a forever thing.

But over the next year or so Lindsay and BJ’s wedding had to be postponed at least once if not more. Priorities with her dad had to take precedence over a wedding.

A phone call from her early this spring revealed that wedding discussions had begun again, and they ended up planning the most beautiful, elegant, intimate wedding for themselves. A room full of family and friends witnessed the occasion at the Mansion on Main, with a party to follow on the third floor ballroom upstairs. It was a magical day.

Priceless expression from BJ.

Lindsay’s brother walked her down the aisle in honor of her father.

Although Lindsay’s dad was unable to be physically present the day of her wedding, we planned a photo shoot for the two of them a couple of weeks later. And that was an incredibly special moment too– a gift really. A day when plaques and tangles took a short break. A day when neurons and memories and thoughts and words all connected–for a fleeting moment.

Lindsay, thank you for being a part of my personal story. And for allowing me to be a part of yours.

xoxo

S-

(Note: A day after this blog posted, Lindsay’s Dad passed away. My deepest sympathies to you, Lindsay, and to your family. While he’s at peace now, I know your heart breaks for such a loss.)

Dress– David’s Bridal, in Dayton, OH. (She wanted a dress that was lace, and had a classic feel. Her dress ended up being perfect, because the dress and the mansion really complimented one another.)

Rings–Hoppe Jewelers in Richmond, IN. (They support local businesses, so it only made sense for them to turn to someone local for such an important, and special investment.)