After spending some great quality time with my boyfriend in Denver, I drove all the way across country to return to Maryland, took a nap and then did the obvious: another road trip!
I know. Insanity. But hear me out.
GPS log. Clear evidence that I drove across country. No, this is not a joke.
Months ago I had photographed my friends Nick, Lindsey and their daughter Charlotte (click here for that blog). Lindsey was pregnant with their second child at the time and I had promised that I would come photograph that baby when it was time for his christening. As it turned out, baby William’s big day was happening right after my Denver trip and by right after, I’m not joking when I say that I spent less than 24 hours in Maryland before I got back on the road to Massachusetts. It was nothing short of a miracle that I made it there alive, as I could barely keep my eyes open. Safe. Smart. I know.
When I pulled up to Nick and Lindsey’s home, they were already starting to get everyone ready for the church. It’s so funny to me when I see my friends first have their first child and then their second (that doesn't seem grammatically correct, but just go with it). The first child seems to throw everybody into a tailspin because it’s a brand new and crazy experience; by the second child it’s like they’ve been parents their whole lives.
I was greeted at the door by Nick and his precious daughter, Charlotte. Nick and Lindsey are picture people (a rare sub-species of human that actually likes to display photographs on something other than a computer screen) and Charlotte had been helping Nick hang a new picture on their wall in preparation for the after-party. As Nick then went to get ready for the church, I got my camera out to begin documenting their day. And in true Charlotte fashion, the modeling began immediately.
That child knows EXACTLY what to do when a camera is pointed in her direction.
Yes, Charlotte. Uncle Mark sees you. And yes, window light is incredibly flattering. Thank you for reminding me.
I stuck my head into the room where Lindsey was talking with a friend and there he was for the first time: baby William!
Baby William!!! I can't believe he's here!
Beautiful Lindsey and her baby boy.
I have known Nick for almost twenty years. Let’s just take a moment and digest THAT. To see him happily married and with two incredibly beautiful children fills me with so much joy. And to see Lindsey fall so gracefully into the role of mother is no surprise, as I’ve known she’s a natural born nurturer since the day I met her.
I captured a few images, hopped in the shower (somehow didn’t fall asleep whilst scrubbing myself) and hopped back in my car to drive to the church.
I’m lying. I got dressed first. Then drove there.
I think the last time I was inside a Catholic Church MAY have been when I was in Nick and Lindsey’s wedding almost a decade ago. Secretly, I was freaked out at how out of place I might feel. I wanted to try the “fly under the radar” approach, but I knew the possibility existed that I would burst into flames and that’s no good when you’re attempting to remain incognito. But I digress. To all of our delight, we (as if they adopted me) were the only family there that Sunday morning. Apparently William was the only one in line to be christened that day, so a private service was in store!
Family and friends of Nick and Lindsey started arriving, including Lindsey’s mom and both of Nick’s parents who I had not seen in several years. And they look the EXACT same as I remember them from high school.
Nick's parents and cousin.
I would try to recount the entire chain of events in the christening, but I think the photographs really speak for themselves. And by saying that, I do mean that I cannot remember what happened. It’s not my fault that I was half awake. But again, I digress.
The beginning of the christening at the back of the church.
Lindsey's brother. The last time I saw him was in the back of the limo taking us to Nick and Lindsey's wedding where we were groomsmen. He was reasonably drunk.
With the Godparents.
The big moment! This is kind of the equivalent of a bride walking down the aisle. Thoughts of missing focus and asking if they could maybe repeat what just happened still flood my nightmares.
With their newly christened baby in tow, my friends headed back home. Apparently they had set the standard with Charlotte’s christening several years before by throwing a fantastic party, so they decided to do the same for William. They even had a caterer!
Everyone celebrating William's big day! Will giving some SERIOUS side eye to the cake that he cannot quite reach.
As the party winded down and the guests said their congratulatory messages to William, all that were left was Nick, Lindsey, the kids and Nick’s parents. And this is where I caught some of my favorite images from the day! Just all of them being a family.
Charlotte taking a siesta.
William with his grandfather.
Fully rested, Charlotte is now on a mission.
Nick is all grown up and a dad of two!!! Wow!
By the time I got there and settled, it was already time to get a quick night’s sleep and get back to Maryland. It’s always bittersweet to leave such great friends, but I knew that I was needed back home. Because without me in Maryland, the Panera Breads there could go out of business. And I’m only half joking.
Thank you, Nick and Lindsey (and Charlotte!) for granting me the privilege of being part of William’s special day! Until next time.