Photos by Cassie Vosburgh Photography
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “marry your best friend.” This advice couldn’t be more true for young couples today.
I was a young girl, walking the corridors of Trent University, in love and married at 21. Jaw dropping, I know, but true. Being married and in university was a struggle financially, but that’s the beauty of young love, everything was an adventure, something that we hadn’t done before and what excited us most was that we got to do all those things together.
I’m going to be honest, I think I got married too young, but I was also blessed enough to have married a young man that when I needed room to grow, was willing to grow with me. I could probably write a book on some of the struggles we have been through and thankfully it would be a story that would end with true love.
Weddings must have been my thing, because now I’m a wedding photographer. You would think that I would become desensitized to the whole thing—the dress, the vows, the rings, the love—but I’m not. When it’s the real deal, you can tell, and those are the truly unforgettable weddings. I’m going to burst your bubble: the best parts aren’t the food, the accessories, the venue, the limo, the dress, hair or make-up, or the tux. None of those things amount to anything if there isn’t a true celebration of love that day.
Being in love is the best feeling in the world. Sharing the same pulse as another person, the same breath, is intoxicating and I think that’s why it should be celebrated. When I’m older, I will look back and see that I was a part of people’s real, live romances.
Every couple that I watch take their vows makes me appreciate the ones I said to my husband some years ago now. I wish for all of them that their marriage will stand the test of time, that they will get through the good, the bad, and the ugly, and come out the other side still holding hands.
As a wedding photographer, I see people in very high-stress situations. Everything leading up to the ceremony is a little tense, a little tentative, but what never seems to fail is the second that the couple sees one another, and everything just seems to melt and you couldn’t pull them apart if you tried.
If you have found that person, congratulations; I truly am so happy for you. If you are still looking for love, enjoy that, too! Search your soul, get grounded so that when love does come knocking at your door you will know that forever isn’t that scary, and prepare yourself for the journey of your life.
None of it is easy, but it is what you make it and I encourage everyone to make it an unforgettable journey of unity, of commitment, and of love.
Cassie Jeans has transitioned from being a full-time Trent student to a full-time mom and photographer. Her portfolio can be viewed at http://www.cassiephotography.ca/
Classically Authentic. Beautifully Driven.