Be Mine, Valentine.

Did you know I take pictures every Valentine's Day?  

Yes, it's a weird tradition, but I think it happens because I simply just love love and I want to celebrate it.

And I love the joy one inevitably feels from this holiday. 

Click HERE for my photos from 2010 (just for kicks).

(Don't I look so different now?)

A big thanks to Dano for getting me the coolest heart shaped twinkle lights for my birthday (which decorate the white asylum walls of my bedroom all year round), which I used in this shoot.

How were all of your Valentine's Days? 

Lovey, dovey and mushy, I hope. 

I had a pretty great day, myself. 

Elder BF certainly did not forget about me!

(He's such a keeper.)

But I'll have to tell you about it a little bit later because right now, I can hear the sound of the rain beating on my windows and roof and therefore, my bed stacked high with blankets and pillows, herbal raspberry tea, and my favorite movie of all time, You've Got Mail are all calling my name. 

Happy heart day, my friends!

xxx

No Take Backs

Since my Valentine is in New York, New York this year...
Happy Valentine's Day everyone.
I hope your day is filled with genuine happiness and love!
xoxoxo

All You Need Is Love.

My Valentine's Day was a bit of a rough one this year. However, instead of focusing entirely on the negative, let me share with you some of the positive as well.

It started off by being greeted with this lovely surprise from my dear, sweet Mother who is incredibly talented in many areas but especially in arts and crafts. She made the gift bag carrying the Valentine's Day themed candy corns. Isn't that spectacular?! And you should see the cards, scrapbooks, and boxes she can make. Seriously. It's incredible. Thank you Mama!!!



The 'roughness' started at about 11:30am when a certain young man knocked on my door to say goodbye for two years.

(For those of you who don't know, I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and in our church we have what you call, Missions. These missions are served by young men who are 19 years of age and are optional for young women who are 21 years of age. In these missions, these young men and women, go out all around the world and preach the gospel while giving service to whomever they might happen in contact with. It is such a blessing to both the individual serving, their families and friends back at home, as well as those who they meet.)

It was wonderful to quickly catch up, finalize plans and give hugs, but then, quick, like a band-aid, Stuart left with the words, "I'll see you in two years, pal."


I strongly believe in the work Stuart will be doing, my sister Dano served a mission in New Hampshire about year ago, and my dear friend Coryn is currently in Paris, France serving a mission. And though I believe in its goodness, it's not easy to say farewell. However, it's a common occurrence here in Utah county and life goes on.

With that said, I had to buck up and go to school.

....

That evening, I arrived home at 8:15pm, got in my onesie, and started homework. That is, until the doorbell rang. My Mom answered the door to find these beauties, as well as a ginormous heart cookie (don't worry it was devoured entirely by yours truly that night), and a card from a "Secret Admirer."


Despite the 'anonymous-ness' of it all, I knew who it was and immediately called him on the phone and ordered him to turn around and come back to my house. Being the wonderful young man that he is, he did just that and we were able to talk, laugh, and cry (I cry all the time these days, I don't know what's happened to me) for four hours straight. It was the perfect ending to an emotionally draining day.

And who was this secret admirer, do you ask? In case you don't already know, it was this handsome fellow:


I'm grateful for such wonderful family and friends and hope your Valentine's Day was a little bit more formal than my own. Why? Because, love is a splendid thing, love lifts us up where we belong, all you need is love.

It's simple days like these that remind me life is good.

What. A. Day.
I believe this is how all Sunday's should be. (No work on Sunday's is divine.)
I was blessed to have the opportunity of seeing some friends I haven't seen for a while, as well as catch up with some family members who are normally pretty dang busy during the week (or who live elsewhere).


The day started with picking Curbs up to go to Stu's mission farewell. (If you didn't see the post about Stu, he's going to Lansing, Michigan for two years. He leaves on Wednesday. Ahh!) In that meeting, Stuart made me CRY. That's right, his way with words is inspiring and his testimony floors me. Good for him.


After the meeting, I visited with some good friends (Chris and DJ), and then took Curbs home. However, before he got out of the car, I made him take a few pictures with me. Why? Because I hadn't seen him in 3 and a half weeks, that's why! I sure missed him so it was good to catch up.


Fast forward to Dano and I at home, eating super healthy lunches (sarcasm, in case you couldn't tell), to spilling our guts out for about 4 hours straight. Can you believe that? We were really just chatting the whole time. From that I learned two things:


1. My sister's awesome. (Well, I already knew that obviously but this pow wow reaffirmed it once again to me.) And...


2. Time truly does fly when you're having fun.


After a scrumptious dinner prepared for by Mama, Dano obliged me in letting me take pictures of her... and isn't she beautiful? My favorite is below:


It just seems so Dano to me! Especially accompanied by the light snowfall. Her smile is refreshing to my SOUL.


Following the shoot, Keke and Dare Bear came over to our home, where we exchanged cutie-patootie Valentine's day cards and candies. (I am officially sugared out as of this moment.)


After that, we sat around the fire and exchanged stories from our childhoods and ladies and gentlemen, I don't think I've laughed that hard in MONTHS! How funny are little kids? And how much funnIER is picturing our loved ones do stupid things as kids?


After Keke and Dare Bear left to go back home, Mama, Paps, and Dano agreed to watch Harper's Island with me, a super scary mini TV series resembling the plot of Agatha Christie's novel, "And Then There Were None/Ten Little Indians". Gee wilickers it's intense! And though my family aren't as big of fans as it as I am, they were sure awesome to give it a try with me!


And that brings us to now, my friends. I am sitting on my bed, typing this blog post and wondering how I got so lucky in this life to be blessed with such wonderful people. If I've mentioned you in this post, I for sure love you. If I haven't... I still for sure love you. Basically, unless I've ever said, "I don't love you," you can pretty much assume you're on my favorites list:)

Thanks to all those who made today special.
It's simple days like these that remind me life is good.

gledhill, mindy

She's adorable.

Her concert was extremely enjoyable even without her voice. That's right. The poor girl was sick. But she was amazing-- as were the decorations and the company. It was a more than lovely early Valentine's celebration. Thank you for the tickets Daddy! You're the greatest!!!!

ps. it's Valentines day TOMORROW! I'm excatic! Valentines Day is my most favorite holiday. Do you have any fun plans????

a series of hearts.

I thoroughly enjoy taking pictures.
More than taking single shots, I like creating series of pictures.
I call this...
A Series of Hearts.

my favorite holiday.

I can't help it.
I'm as cliche as it gets.
But I LOVE Valentine's Day.
Valentine's day is my holiday.
It's full of love, happiness, and candy! (Non chocolate ones for 2010 but still.)
Yes, yes, I know. I may be special someone less- come on, I'm 17- but you can still celebrate it and be happy about it! Instead of devoting this day to runny mascara and kleenex, why not devote it to your parents, siblings, or besties!
I am planning to paint my nails red and pink and make a special Valentine's Day treat.
YAY YAY YAY! Love you all so much!

images courtesy of gettyimages.com