Noah proposed to Jules for the first time with a ripped up playing card he had taped together. We were sitting in the window sill of my upper west side apartment when he got down on the floor and slid the ace of hearts on my finger, just to let me know he intended to marry me.

The final proposal, because there was another in between where Noah tried to throw me off the scent, happened at The Met in front of a painting titled, “Being With”. We didn’t know then that this statement would become a mantra for our lives.

All this, just five months after falling in love with each other. We knew then, like we know now, we didn’t want to waste anymore time starting our life together. And we didn’t, our first child was born ten months after we were married. In those beginning years, she came with us to photo sessions and client meetings, strapped in a baby carrier while I held lighting tools or tucked in her stroller as we met with our very first couples.

As the years went on we came to understand that even though we’re the kind of couple who jump into the deep end with no idea the depth, we’re always holding hands. It’s been twelve years and everyday we still choose each other and this life and being with.