Never wanted nothing more.

I never had a plan. I didn't. I didn't see myself in the future. Didn't have an idea of what I wanted my life to be. I just lived it. I just went moment to moment.

Living on cruise ships for 6 years will turn anyone into a bit of a gypsy. Sailing different seas, wandering the shorelines of many different countries, breathing in the air from foreign cultures, smelling Moroccan spices, Egyptian pyramids, Italian trattorias, and Thai food cooking on the streets. Craving the next big adventure. I wasn't sure I would ever stay still long enough to own a home, a car or have my clothes in drawers. It took a while, it took countless experiences. But, when I was done with ships... I was done. Putting the pieces together for a photography career on land. A few weddings each summer while traveling turned into more. I was home. Loving the air here. The salty, damp, west coast air. I started. I jumped. I trusted. I didn't have a plan. Just had my gypsy heart and all sorts of inspiration.

Dancing around the kitchen this morning with Maisie Lu, I realized that I may not be able to enjoy her as much if she was part of a plan. You can't plan miracles. She is the result of two lives. Bryce's and mine, coming together at exactly the right time. As we spun around to Kenny Chesney, with barefeet on the cool tile floor, laughing and hugging. His words filled the kitchen.

"And I'm sure happy With what I've got. I live to love and laugh a lot, And thats all I need.

Never wanted nothin' more. And I never wanted nothin' more."

If I could go back I would tell myself "It will be better than you can imagine. Just trust me." Potentially saving me a few tears, heartaches and stresses about decisions. I wish I could tell myself. "You are making the right choices. Even the wrong ones, are right."

If you don't have a big plan... sometimes life unfolds the most beautiful mysteries, right before your eyes.

Love in Ucluelet

The Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet BC, is not only a stunning resort. But an amazing west coast wedding venue as well. The staff are wonderful, the rooms exquisite and the views breathtaking. Situated amongst the rocky bluffs of Ucluelet, it perfectly captures the feeling and ambiance of everything we love about the west coast.

Laura and Kevin live in Edmonton, and chose Black Rock as their first choice for a Vancouver Island destination wedding. Their wedding was really a wonderful weekend, full with family, friends and good times. Here is my interpretation of their extraordinary wedding. What's a West Coast Wedding without gumboots? I'll leave you with a typical Black Rock view.

Rebecca and Steve

Well, I have a lot to catch up on. Rebecca and Steve were married at Painters Lodge, in Campbell River.

You may remember them from this post. This was their day, as I saw it on August 7 2009. Congrats you two!

The girls got ready @ the beautiful Dolphins Resort Love this moment when Becci saw her dad for the first time on her wedding day Anxious? Nervous? Emotional? yup! Waiting for his bride Of course the perfect bald eagle flies over the ceremony The fabulous wedding party. Honestly, so much FUN! If your wedding party is lame... do not apply!! They were awesome, having so much fun and were a JOY to work with!!! So honored to have been chosen to share your day with you. Congratulations!!!

Something tells me I'm not the all inclusive type....

My idea of a vacation is this... The West Coast of Vancouver Island. I'm telling you, if you've never been here... you just should. There are beautiful places in the world. Seriously breathtaking places. But nothing is more humbling than being surrounded by the rough, rugged beauty of the west coast. It's just something about the mountains, the waves, the tides, the sea otters, the bears, the islands, the streams, the waterfalls, the crisp morning air.... nothing makes me speechless like this place. Its either in your blood or it's not. It's in mine... Within moments of stepping onto the tin boat, and motoring out away from the dock... I could actually feel... stillness. Quiet. I was decompressing. I was not thinking. I was existing. I was alive. What a wonderful 3 days.

It doesn't hurt that my good friends family has a float camp in Nootka Sound, one of the most magical places around. (which I feel incredibly lucky to be able to go to!) It is also equally wonderful that this good friend, has now become my fabulous graphic designer/assistant/savior/second me. We had been working hard, burning discs, tying up loose ends, organizing life... so a mini road trip (in fact annual now) was just what was needed to re-charge our batteries for a busy wedding season.

Here is my hopefully helpful list of...

"Seven things to consider when road tripping..."

#1. Carefully select co-pilot/tequila and old country tapes for cabin #2. Bring a dog #3. Ensure you can get to one of the most magical places on Vancouver Island #4. Purchase $1 red hats at the first store you see, and wear them around joyfully #5. Make fabulous meals. Eat them in incredible places (like uninhabited islands) #6. Be prepared to laugh out loud, singing old country favorites like "don't ask her on a straight tequila night" #7. Recognize that you are NOT going to want to leave