We were just babies — two 20-year-olds with wide eyes and big dreams. But even then, I knew in my heart that you were something special. I still remember that very first night we met, how we stayed up talking until the early hours of the morning. We talked about everything — our families, our faith, how we were raised, what we believed in. It was deep and real and unlike anything I’d ever experienced before.
Somehow, even in those first few hours, I knew. I knew you were the one I would spend my life with. And I’m so thankful I was right.
Twenty years, five beautiful children, and a cross-country move later… and I still get butterflies when you walk into the room. You make me smile in that quiet, soul-deep kind of way. Life with you is my greatest adventure.
You are the most patient man I know. Steady, kind, forgiving. Loyal to the core. You carry yourself with such strength and integrity, and I admire that about you more than words can say.
You work harder than anyone I know. Always willing to roll up your sleeves and take on a new project, especially if it means making our house feel more like home. And somehow, no matter how big or wild my dreams get, you’re always ready to chase them with me. You never make me feel like anything is too far out of reach — especially when we know it’s a God dream. You’ve taught me that with Him, all things are possible.
I love your faith. I love how you quietly lead our family with prayer and purpose. I love how you show up for our kids in a thousand different ways — not just in the big things, but in the little moments too.
You love with your whole heart. You speak truth over our kids, tell them they’re beautiful, smart, and capable. You make them feel seen and valued every single day. That is a gift, and I don’t take it for granted.
You believe in Lincoln’s baseball dreams with everything in you. You’ve given him every opportunity to grow and shine. That’s who you are — selfless, committed, all-in for the people you love.
Somehow, even with everything on your plate, you always make time for what matters most: your family. That’s what I love most about you. You never lose sight of what’s important.
God has been so good to us. So faithful. We’ve seen Him move in incredible ways — in our family, in our journey, in our dreams. His fingerprints are all over our story.
I wouldn’t trade one moment of these twenty years — the highs, the lows, the quiet in-betweens. Every step has brought us closer, stronger, more rooted in love and faith.
I can’t wait to see what the next 20 years bring. If they’re anything like the first, we’re in for something beautiful.
I love you so incredibly much. Happy Anniversary, my love
This photoshoot has been a dream of mine for years — quietly tucked away in my heart, waiting for the right moment to come to life. I’ve always wanted to create something meaningful and beautiful that captured not just our love story, but the feeling of gathering, connection, and celebrating the season we’re in. It was more than just a styled shoot — it was a reflection of so many memories, so many prayers answered, and so much beauty in the everyday. To see it all come together was truly emotional.
I’m so grateful to my sweet friend Jalisse from Jalissephotography for capturing these photos with so much heart. She didn’t just take pictures — she saw the vision and gave it life. I ended up sharing some really intimate moments that I originally thought I’d keep to myself, but when I saw them, I knew they were too special not to share. There’s a tenderness and realness in them that I’ll hold onto forever. They feel like little windows into our story, and I’m so thankful to have them frozen in time.
The cake — oh my goodness, the cake — was made by my incredibly talented friend Carla from Ginger and Spice Cakery. It was the perfect size for just the two of us to share, and it was delicious. Moist, beautiful, and crafted with such love. We cut into it as the sun was setting, surrounded by laughter and soft evening light, and it was honestly one of my favorite parts of the night. She just gets my vision every time, and this cake was no exception.
The florals were from Prairie Lane Farm, and I can’t tell you how much they added to the shoot. Flowers have always meant a lot to me — they bring joy, color, and life into any space, and if you know me, you know how much I LOVE flowers. These were wild, free, and perfectly imperfect — just the way I like them. They made everything feel complete and grounded the entire scene with beauty only nature can bring.
And then, there’s the story behind us — how it all began. We met at a social (if you’re not from Manitoba, it’s basically a big fundraiser party where friends and family come together to dance, celebrate, and raise money for a couple or cause). I had just turned 17, and my parents didn’t want me to go. But it was for a co-worker at the time, and they trusted me enough to say yes. My cousin and I walked in, full of nerves and excitement, and spotted two cute boys. We worked up the courage… and asked them to dance. Yes — I asked him to dance. And that was the beginning of everything.
Looking back now, it’s wild to think how one night — one dance — would lead to a life full of love, faith, children, dreams, and so many shared memories. I never could have imagined then just how much beauty would grow from that one moment. But here we are, twenty years married, still dancing through life together — and this shoot felt like a celebration of it all.
xo
Karina
