The Comfort in Two

As summer gives way to fall and winter, I sigh in relief because the end of the year is my favorite. Along with the holidays, our families celebrate multiple birthdays and anniversaries within the -ber months. This past two months, in particular, we celebrated Tino turning 30 and our second year of marriage.

Cotton is the 2nd-anniversary gift. It's poetic because the longer you are married, the more your life becomes intertwined with your partner. Even though I am stubbornly independent, I know three strands are not easily broken. Cotton represents how marriage brings couples closer together; the material is flexible, symbolizing adaptability and a strengthening relationship. Oh, how true this was for year two, just learning more about each other. Ecclesiastes 4:12 will be something I hold close to my heart in this new year (and 2023) because we're stepping into trust as we transition to a one-income household to give Tino time to rest and re-evaluate his career plans.

This man stepped back into my life when I was at a crossroads. I prayed for someone and hesitantly asked for more than I thought I could be given. To see God's work in his life mirror my prayers gives me so much peace. Every time I look at Tino, I am reminded of how faithful He is to his promises.

To walk this life and have someone so selfless pray over me? I am so blessed to call this man my home.

& it was called Yellow

Look at the stars, look how they shine for you and all the things you do ⭒

This is how I'll remember your 20s - always on my couch studying for some test, napping, or bingeing your current Netflix obsession with a bowl of pasta. You've called it your own room, and my couch has never quite recovered from your visits. Of course, Mochi is never too far away. I have more shots of your naps, but I know those are far less appreciated hehe.

Photographs don't capture the valleys you walked through and the mountains I watched you climb in your past decade. I'm so proud of who are and that you're stepping into a new chapter more sure of yourself and unafraid of your future. Thank you for letting me hold your hand during our midnight sessions expressing vulnerabilities and hopes for this short life. I appreciate that you give love freely and you welcome me to take part in your victories. You are so loved.

Happiest birthday to my sakay o patay, my business partner, secret keeper & the reason this blog exists.

Sunsets at Joshua Tree

During this Joshua Tree trip, I wanted to focus on two things - catching the sunset on film and not repeating my film mistake from my previous trip (aka yanking my film out and then opening my camera in broad daylight). Daylight was fading fast, and I had a few shots left for the Kodak Gold 200 roll I loaded earlier in the afternoon. Tino and I were still driving around trying to find the perfect scene. I didn't have much time, so when I found an area I liked, I jumped out of the car. before it fully stopped and ran down the road.

I'll let you in on a little secret. These shots did not come out the way I expected. I was hoping to capture more of the foreground to capture the layers on those purple mountain majesties. I think they still came out great, I really love the silhouette of the Joshua trees against the gradient of the sunset.

These shots below were taken as the sun dipped below the horizon, only a few minutes after the shots above.

I can't quite decide which gradient is my favorite, but luckily I really don't have to ☼