Happy Valentines Day!
Thank you to everyone that entered my bridal contest.... all of your letters were wonderful. I had no idea this was going to be so hard to choose my favorite entries.
Bride#1: I have a soft place in my heart for teachers and I feel like Ashley really deserves a day for herself.
Bride#2: Leah is such a beautiful loving girl and her story reminds me so much of my own.
Bride#3: Natasha....I have know her since she was just a little girl with stringy hair and glasses; she has grown into such an amazing & gorgeous young lady.
Bride#4: I lovc that a mom wrote in for her daughter. Brandi is not only very photogenic but also a total sweetheart.
Bride#5: Michelle has such a cool, edgy, 1950's style and I think she would be great for this session.
Now I need your help... read the 5 stories that I have selected and then vote for your favorite!
Bride #1: Ashley
When I read that you are having a contest to win a bridal shoot, I knew I had to enter. Erik and I were married in August, less than a month before I started my first year of teaching kindergarten. The school year has been extremely busy and chaotic, and I feel like I haven't had much time for myself.
I spend my days with 22 kindergarteners, much of it is spent sitting on the floor and getting messy. I wear old clothes to school because I'm constantly getting splattered with paint, glue, markers, glitter - sometimes worse (if you know what I mean!) When school started and life got hectic, I decided to cut my hair and donate it to locks of love. I cut off a foot of hair and now it sits just above my shoulders. I have always had long hair, and it has been difficult adjusting to my new look. I wear my glasses to school and pull my hair back to keep it out of my way. Needless to say, I look less than glamorous on a day-to-day basis.
I could really use a day that is just for me, a day to feel beautiful and pampered. I am getting ready to take a huge test in March - a test that determines whether I will get my 5-year license to teach in Ohio. What better way to celebrate passing my test (hopefully!) than my very own photo shoot!
Thank you for considering my entry. No matter which lucky lady gets chosen, I know the photographs will be amazing!
Bride #2: Leah
A Bride. It is what I have dreamed of being since I was a little girl. Of course, the dream featured the beautiful white dress, the flowers and the prince on a white horse. As a child, I wore my “wedding gown" in many pretend weddings out in the garden dreaming of that day. That dream is now coming true and that day has come. I am finally a Bride!! After years of my heart being broken, looking for the “one” and a wedding called off. I have finally found him. The One, my prince. He is everything I have ever wanted and needed. He is my soul mate, my best friend, and my true love. All past hurt and broken promises I now view as a blessing that has led me to him and our special day. These are a few reasons why I would love for Tracy to take pictures of me as her bride. Not only because she is a fabulous photographer and fun to work with, but because I am walking on clouds, have sparkles in my eyes and sheer joy on my face from a dream coming true.
Bride #3: Natasha
"My husband, Ben, and I met in college our sophomore year. It did not take long to see that he was the perfect guy that I was searching for. We fell in love and in two years we were married.
It is now three years later, and we both are still very much in love. But as time goes by I realize how much I miss being a bride. I am an event coordinator so I work with brides and weddings on a daily basis. I see their faces light up when talking about their dress, their squeals of delight when their favorite dj/band is available, and their eyes sparkle when explaining the wedding cake. I get excited for my clients but at the same time I do get envious. I was engaged for only four months before I got married, and 21 of those days were spent overseas doing missions work, a trip that was planned a year and a half in advance. I did not get the chance to fully appreciate what it is like being a bride. The time that I was home, it was full of prompt decisions and stress. I missed out on a lot of things a bride normally takes pride in. My bridal party, including the groom, were all scattered through out the United States, making it very difficult to get much help from them. If it were not for my family, I would have not been able to pull it off. I give much of the accreditation to my mother and grandmother. They were my strength through this hectic, but happy time.
Not many people get a second chance. So when I heard about the contest I felt as if this could be my second chance. I would love to relive those bridal days and get the opportunity to fully appreciate being a bride. This time there will be no other trips or lingering decisions that could distract me from fully taking it all in.
I appreciate your votes, and will be praying that those of you who need a second chance may receive it."
Bride # 4 Brandi
As her mother, I have watched through the years how dedicated she is with everything she strives to do. She has always been a very well-rounded person having participated in dance, many sports, religion, and education. Brandi has many friends and family who think she is special. Since she was just a little girl, her smile has lit up the room whenever she enters. She is a fun-loving, compassionate, beautiful person inside and out.
Brandi graduated with honors from Butler High school. She graduated from Ohio State University and is now attending the University of Indianapolis, studying hard to earn her degree in clinical psychology while working and being a new bride.
I haven't included a picture but i know you have plenty! I hope that you will consider her among your choices for your spring shoot as I'm sure it will be a blast and she would really enjoy it. She's always been a bit of a "ham" as I'm sure you could tell from the slide show! After all these years of hard work in school, preparing for her wedding and her new life as Mrs.Luedtke, I'm sure she could use a little pampering and relaxing fun and would do you proud as a representative for your photography. .Good luck picking some lucky girl, I'm sure the choices are many.
Bride #5 Michelle
Ok so I’m reading your blog again and I see the photo shoot contest.Why do I want to do your photo shoot....well I’m a bit of a ham and I am willing to wear any shoes. (the scars on feet prove it.) I am unique and will use any excuse to be involved in something edgy and creative. My wedding felt like it was five minutes long so I would love to wear my dress again. I’m not whiny or afraid to get dirty. I can laugh at myself and follow directions. Finally being your photo girl would make me the happiest girl in the world. So lift me up in some heels and fake eyelashes and I am ready to go.
Thank you sooooo much Dorene!
We have a new baby in the family... Katie Lee Abston… My brother and sister-n-law just had a precious little girl that we all immediately fell in love with. The funny part of this story is that they already have a 13 and 10 year old and now our Katie Lee. I’m happy to say that everybody is soo happy except for one “ Snowball”. Snowball used to be the baby of the family and mommies little boy but I’m happy to say that he is adjusting little by little…. 
