A Fellowship of Two: Welcome, Mr. & Mrs. Holmes
My Story..
An Unexpected Journey to Texas
Some stories feel as though they were written long before we ever arrive in them.
In February, Dale and I set out for Texas on what felt like a little adventure of our own — not only to celebrate family, but to document a love story unfolding. My Aunt Karen, my cousin Andy, and his beautiful bride Anhel invited us to be part of their day both as family and as photographers, and what an honor it was. My first destination wedding felt nothing short of magical. There was laughter, covenant, family, and a love story years in the making. Like all great tales, theirs began quietly, with God at work long before they knew it. I wanted to share a glimpse of their story, along with a handful of my favorite moments from a wedding that felt touched with wonder.
One little side note, though I will not speak of how quickly this quest was accomplished… what they achieved was nothing short of magic.
A mighty shout of praise to Aunt Susan and Cousin Maddie, who assembled not merely a charcuterie board, but a feast fit for the halls of Rivendell — the grandest and most beautiful spread these eyes have ever beheld.
WOW, ladies! A masterpiece of the realm.
Their Story..
A Fellowship Forged
Every great journey begins with a guide.
For Andy and Anhel, that guide was a mutual friend named Ben, who helped set two hearts on the same road. Though they first met briefly at a camp reunion, destiny waited a little longer before a simple text began their true story.
Their first real adventure was a game night filled with laughter, Scattegories, and shared joy — the kind of ordinary evening that somehow changes everything.
Soon came dinners over fajitas and tacos, long walks beneath the stars, and honest conversations about faith, future, and love. Early on, Anhel shared she was saving her first kiss for the altar — a promise Andy honored, and one that made their story all the sweeter.
Their fellowship deepened through Marco Polos while apart, Psalms read together, meeting one another’s families, attending church side by side, and dreaming aloud of marriage and home.
Then at a family wedding in September, Andy spoke the words Anhel had long held in her heart:
“I love you.”
And she answered, “I love you too.”
By autumn, the journey led to the Athens Arboretum, where under the guise of taking photographs, Andy dropped to one knee and asked Anhel to join him on life’s great adventure. Through happy tears and three attempts to say yes loud enough to be heard… she did.
Waiting afterward were both families gathered in celebration, as if all the realms had come together for the feast.
And so this story began — not with dragons or battles, but with providence, patience, and a love both steadfast and true.
Two travelers.
One road.
One adventure, now shared.
“I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone.” — The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
My lords and ladies, behold! As in the great tales of old, love has triumphed this day. I present to you, with honor and joy…
Andy & Anhel Holmes!
