On May 22nd, my Buppa passed away. I still tear up at those words. I wrote a speech that I spoke at his funeral, but I've delayed writing this because this needed some time.

Nearly a year ago, Buppa's wife who I call Mamas, passed away. She passed away in their home. Buppa thought she was still sleeping in her chair when my Mom came over to visit. "It happened too fast", I remember Buppa saying while laying in his bed in rehab. 

Buppa fractured his hip after falling in his bathroom this past March. This fracture lead to many other complications and eventually, his defeat. I believe Buppa tried his hardest to live a life without Mamas. He would go to the senior center, meet up with a group of local veterans, stay longer at family parties. There was a pep in his step that said, "I'm a bachelor now!"

He tried. Life had other plans. After a few trips to the hospital and endless doctor appointments, he lost touch with those new friends and found new ones in rehab. 

Those final days in rehab were something I'll never forget. His sister flew in from Wisconsin, his brother from Florida. They thought they were there for a cheerful get well visit, but instead they were there to see him go. I walked in to his room that Tuesday morning to see him and I knew he was leaving. 

My route home took me by his road. I had brought my camera with me with intentions to take photos of him with his brother and sister. As I came upon his road, I knew I had to go to his house and capture these corners that would remind me of him forever. He left for rehab right before St. Patrick's Day, one of his favorite holidays. So perfect. He left it with all his Irish decorations around his home. Below are some that I've chosen to share with you.

The chair where he ate all of his meals. You can't sit there, that's Buppa's chair.
The chair he would nap in. That's Buppa's chair.
The chair he'd read the paper and listen to the birds chirping. That's Buppa's chair.
The chair he'd watch his favorite shows and watch us open presents at Christmas. That's Buppa's chair.

Looking at these photos, I can hear the creak in the floor, the squeak of the door, the smell of his after shave.

Over the past few months, we really dove into his home, Buppa's life. It was emotionally cleansing to throw away much of the clutter and hold onto the things that would always remind me of him. It had to be done, but it also helped us find closure.

His home went on the market today. I took the photos for the listing. As I went around from room to empty room, it came to me that he's not there anymore. It's time for a new, lucky family to lay out their decorations, make new aroma's in the kitchen, host parties, mow the lawn, plant their favorite flowers, and create new projects around the house.

​Oh Buppa, I miss you so much!

Just bare with me as I start off on a tangent... After graduating high school, I decided to get the heck out of my hometown. Like a lot of high school graduates, I wanted to live on my own and explore what's out there. I promised myself I'd never return!
Ten years later, I returned with a baby on the way, a ring on my finger, and a new mortgage to boot! It was one of the best decisions I could've made. Little did I know, that many other high school graduates decided to do the same! The smart ones never left! ;)
As word spreads about my photography, I'm reuniting with many! They're welcoming me into their homes, I get to meet their newborns, capture milestones, and spend every minute with them for their wedding day!!! I feel so incredibly lucky to be able to reconnect with them (my people!) in such a personal way!
With that said, Leah was one of those graduates that convinced Nate that our hometown was the place to be! It really is, Nate! I'll contend to that!
Leah and Nate came to me last Fall and asked me to photograph their wedding. "Of course!" I knew this would be a TON of fun! But they also had a special surprise! Their daughter was due by the end of the year, so we held a maternity/engagement session during that prime time Fall foliage!

Just in time for Christmas, Baby Allison arrived!!!

Leah and Nate were smart and prepared much of their wedding day details before Allison's arrival. Mind you, they were preparing for a baby, a wedding, and working full time jobs - and may I say, looking A+ the whole time! - these guys did a fantastic job and deserved the best wedding day ever! Just short of a sunny blue sky, I'd say they had a pretty awesome wedding that lasted the whole weekend!
I applaud you, Mr. and Mrs. Ellis! I wish you and your whole family lots of love and happiness! Thank you so much for inviting me to capture these special moments!

​Press "PLAY" and enjoy the slideshow! :)

Venue: Wedgewood Pines Country Club Stow, MA
Hair: Jolene Yates from Images Salon 
Make-up: Liz Collins from Maven Hair Company
​Gown: Giggi's Bridal Hudson, MA
​Tux: Men's Wearhouse Northborough, MA
DJ: Chris Profenna 617 Boston DJ
Flowers: Frugal Flowers Sudbury, MA
​Cupcakes: Bean Counter Shrewsbury, MA
2nd Photographer: Kate Brindley