While we were in Arizona for Skylar + Laura’s wedding last month (see it here!), we had an incredible opportunity that I am just so, so, SO excited to share with you today!! Before I go any further, however, let’s take it back to the beginning …

Last April, before we were married, Caleb + I attended a marriage conference (right?! haha!) for Christian creative couples (talk about alteration, yeah!?!) who are in business together–most being photographers. (In case you missed it, you can read about our experience at the retreat here!) As you can imagine, being surrounded by those who share the SAME passions–in almost every way possible–is absolutely inspiring. We had the privilege of meeting some AMAZING husband + wife teams who we look up to + really admire (in work aspects, relationships aspects, + faith aspects).

Anyway, one of those couples was Amy + Jordan Demos–or, Amy & Jordan. These two are a force to be reckoned with–I mean, they are nationally renowned photographers who LOVE each other, love what they do, + love Jesus. Our last day at the retreat, I’ll never forget them pulling us aside + saying

Hey guys, we just wanted to take a minute to tell you how EXCITED we are for you to be married. We know leading up to the wedding day, a lot of people joke about how you better “get ready” + be prepared for all that is in store–you know, how marriage isn’t fun. There’s kind of this bad connotation about it. Please don’t think we’re perfect + have it all figured out, but we just wanted to encourage you that we have been married for five years now + WE LOVE IT. We love being married, we love spending every day together, + we just feel that marriage is the greatest blessing on earth! So, we hope you’re EXCITED about being married–because it’s the best.

Yes. I totally related to everything they had to say to us at that time … feeling SO excited to be married, but also feeling like I was being young + naïve for being excited because, after all, you really do hear about the horror stories + the warnings. We decided that the Demos’s were people we wanted in our lives + we kept in touch with them after the retreat.

When we booked a wedding in Phoenix, Arizona a few months back (where Amy + Jordan live), we knew we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to spend the DAY with them + soak up all the knowledge + wisdom they had to offer us!! Caleb actually surprised me–at the PERFECT time/season of life–with the news that as my Christmas gift, we were getting a full-day mentoring session with Amy + Jordan!! Best. Gift. Ever.

Our time with the Demos’s was … incredible. EMPOWERING, is the exact word I used. Yes, these two gave us practical tips + tricks + ideas as to how to grow our business, what steps to take next, + all that good stuff. But more than that, they encouraged us beyond our wildest imagination … they empowered us to go + make a difference. To HUSTLE. To love our couples hard + each other even harder. They told us they believed in us. They are such a beautiful example of how marriage is the most important thing in your life (if you are married) + everything else comes second. Their passion for ‘forever marriages’ reflects in their business + the way they love their couples. We are SO thankful to be working alongside amazing couples like Amy + Jordan–who truly believe in + are passionate about the same things we are. What a blessing!!

I’m only sharing a few images from our time with the Demos’s on the blog today, because I don’t want to give away too much yet!! (These two have been helping us on a special project we’re working on!!), so for now, just some teasers ; ) If you made it to the end of this post, I’m hugging you now : ) Have a beautiful weekend, xoxo!! -M