It was a last-minute anniversary photo session in Bremerton. He was scheduled for deployment a couple of weeks later and would be gone for their five-year anniversary. This was their last chance at photos together in 2020 and when Diana reached out, she shared with me that they’re quirky and weird and sassy and total introverts and I immediately knew they were my people.

They picnicked and danced under the giant trees and snuggled by the water. It was a cute little date night in the park. We laughed a lot – especially when we talked about their first date and an embarrassing (but so adorable) milkshake story. That’s all I’ll say about that. ;-)

Living in Bremerton, home to PSNS-IMF, I get to meet and photograph a lot of Navy couples and families. When I first moved to Kitsap 17 years ago, I used to think military families were just stronger than the rest of us – to be able to go months without seeing each other. And they do have so much strength, absolutely; but it’s not just strength on its own. It’s also so much tenderness and tears and anxiety and everything else. They’re normal people who have to part with their hearts for extended periods of time and count down the days until they can reunite. Diana & Doug reminded me of this during their session and I’m grateful for their perspective.

Here’s to love. The wild, fulfilling, rollercoaster, sometimes heart-wrenching, but always worth it love. And to these two.