Well hello!! Is summer really almost over??? Are there really only 7 weekends of summer left?? How can that be!?!? My boys and I have been enjoying some time back home in Georgia for a few weeks and head back to Virginia soon!! While I was here I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Brittany and Jacob at Lewiswood Farm in Tallahassee, FL for their engagement session.  Brittany and Jacob are getting married next April and we’ll return to Lewiswood Farm for their wedding.  I am so excited! This place is beautiful!! It’s nestled in a beautiful 80 acre plot amongst gorgeous southern pines and hardwoods.  The barn was built from wood that was harvested and milled by the owner, taking several years to complete.

But before I introduce you to this super sweet couple, I have an announcement to make! And it’s not an easy one and is one I have been putting off for a while. As many of you know I am a military wife.  My husband Erik is closing in on 20 years with the Navy and has made the decision that he will retire next year.  And while that is very exciting, it is also very bitter sweet.  For my family that means that we will be moving.  We’ve known for some time that when he retires we’ll move, but for a while we didn’t know where.  But earlier this year, we made the decision that in the summer of 2020 we will be calling Valdosta, GA home.  Valdosta is where I grew up.  It’s where my Mama is.  It’s home.  When I left Valdosta a LONG time ago I never thought I would move back.  It’s not that I didn’t like it there, I just never felt the urge to go back – plus being married to someone in the Navy that was never an option.  Until now.

Leaving Virginia Beach will be one of the hardest things we will ever have to do.  We’ve been here since 2010 (minus the year we spend in Alabama).  It’s home for my children.  My youngest son was born here.  We have roots here – which is pretty uncommon for a military family.  My business began here and has thrived here, and for that I am SO grateful.  We have SO many amazing friends who are more like family than friends.  It’s going to be a huge adjustment for all of us.

So what does that mean for Kelley Stinson Photography?? Well, not much right now.  It’s business as usual! I am still taking clients and will be until June of 2020.  In June I will take a break for a bit to prepare to move but once we settle in GA I will pick up where I left off!  Will I travel back to Virginia for weddings – ABSOLUTELY! I would love nothing more than to travel back!  So keep telling your friends about me! I would love to meet them! And if you are in the South Georgia/North Floria area – let’s chat!!  I am so excited to begin building a business there!

So now that that is out of the way….time to meet Brittany and Jacob!!  Brittany and Jacob go back pretty far, like elementary school far.  They rode the bus together and have been best friends forever.  Growing up Brittany alway had a boyfriend, and Jacob always had a crush on her.  His patience over the years paid off when a few years ago Brittany realized that the person who was her best friend was also the person she was supposed to be with.  So the two began dating.  They can’t pinpoint a first date, because they’ve known each other for so long.  But Brittany can pinpoint her most memorable date with Jacob.  Brittany was living the typical life of a college student at FSU –  busy and broke.  And because she was busy and broke she just didn’t find the time to cook or eat a good meal.  So one day Jacob swooped in – in a torrential downpour – and picked up Brittany and took her to her favorite pizza place for a good meal.  Brittany knew at that moment that Jacob was the one.   The two were engaged earlier this summer in a very memorable way.  Brittany’s best friend was celebrating her birthday and had invited everyone to join her for dinner.  She insisted that Brittany get her nails done and dress up for the occasion.  So Brittany, being the good friend she is, went along with what the Birthday Girl wanted.  As they were getting ready to leave Brittany’s, Jacob was outside with their adorable Lab puppy named Parker.  Brittany noticed that Parker had on a new bandanna and she was curious.  So she walked over to check it out.  When she got closer she noticed what it said….”Will You Marry My Daddy?”  The evening plans that were supposed to be a birthday celebration were actually and engagement celebration! Brittany of course said YES and she and Jacob, along with their family and friends, all celebrated that evening.  I cannot wait to be a part of Brittany and Jacob’s wedding next April!! I know it will be such a fun celebration – there may even be some karaoke! YES!!!