John and Raeshelle: wedding!! :D {seatac, wa wedding photographer}

Thirteen years ago this May, my family and I were in Seattle, WA about to go on an Alaskan cruise! Our ship was setting sail on a Sunday afternoon and we wanted to attend a church meeting before we boarded. Some friends recommended Emmanuel Reformed Baptist Church, so we went and that’s where I met Raeshelle :D. After the service was over, she and her cousin Jessica (who is the blonde bridesmaid you’ll see :D) came over and introduced themselves. We got along splendidly and of course exchanged addresses as any twelve year old should. Hehe :D. Raeshelle and I were faithful pen pals for years! Later on we trickled off, but then not long after, seventeen year old me got Facebook and guess who reconnected! 😀 So for the next eight years and five months, Raeshelle was my sweet Washington friend who nobody knew but me…until John ;).

Now I met John ten years ago this June at his church, Hwy M Chapel, in Sedalia, MO. My family and I had just attended a good friend’s wedding in Kirksville (just a little bit north) and my Dad was asked to come down and preach for them that Sunday. From then on I saw John at a lot of Bible camps and conferences or during my many visits to Missouri (if you don’t know by now, I’ve got a lot of friends up there. Haha) and we became good friends.

So fast forward to spring of 2015 when John announced on Facebook that he got his Air Force assignment to fly C-17s and be stationed in Washington state! The very funny thing is what I said to Mom after hearing the news: “I wonder if he’ll be stationed near Seattle. That’s where Raeshelle lives! I wonder if he’ll find her church. If he does, he’ll probably marry her.”

Yep, so everyone teases me about my “prophecy” now. Haha.

It wasn’t until the following spring that he moved up there and I kinda forgot about my prediction. So I wasn’t taking notice when Raeshelle posted a photo on Facebook with a funny caption of her brother and a blonde guy washing dishes. I just “laughed” at the photo and scrolled on. Well, about a week later JoHn Hargrave was tagged in a photo…AND HE WAS THE BLONDE HEAD! THEY’VE MET! IT HAPPENED! So I quickly told each of them…“He’s my friend!”“She’s my pen pal!”So, it was no surprise when about six months later they announced they were dating ;). The fun thing was all of John and I’s mutual friends were like “Who is this girl?” and I’m like “I’ve known her since I was twelve.” Hahaha 😀 (this Instagram of Raeshelle’s is pretty fun too :D)

So last August, twelve years later, I got to hug my pen pal again and photograph the day she became a wife and my friend became a husband. It was awesome 😀 :D.

“She loves without hesitation, with a love that does not discriminate between the well off and those who are needy. She is kind beyond compare always reaches out to help others. She is loyal and true to her word, and can be trusted to do what she says. She is strong and not easily shaken. She is quick to listen and slow to speak. She is often quiet but can also be found to be the life of the party. She is laid back but always willing to start an adventure. She is happy with an evening at home or night out. She is well grounded but also a dreamer, and not afraid to go after those dreams. She is smart and has a wit laced with wisdom. She is funny and loves to laugh. She is humble. She love the Lord supremely and takes the things of the Lord very seriously. She is gorgeous, in every way, from inside out.

I moved to Washington State in early March, 2016. I met Raeshelle 8 days later while visiting her church. I knew within the following month that she was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. She is the most loving, down to earth, wonderful person I have ever known. I love her gentle and caring spirit that’s not afraid to go off the marked trail on the side of a mountain in search of adventure. I love that she seeks to put the Lord first in all things. I love the relationship she has with her parents and the way she seeks to always honor them. I love that even though she is humble and unassuming, people are often drawn to her and she quickly becomes the one keeping the conversation, excitement, or the party going. I love the way she can be very serious but also is never afraid to laugh at herself and be silly. I love that I always find at least one book in her purse. I love how amazing she is with kids. I love that even though I’ve known her for 2 years, I still feel that nervous excitement every time I’m about to see her for the first time after some time apart. I love way she still gets my heart racing every time she walks into the room. I love that I get to spend the rest of my life with her.”

“John is so giving and caring. He’s always been super patient with and faithful to me. He wants to talk about things and know my thoughts on a matter. I love that he doesn’t give up on me. I love that he always points me to Christ. His love for Christ is reflected even in his love towards me. I trust him completely.”

Their favorite things to do together <3

“Playing our musical instruments and singing together.
We both love the outdoors.
Pretty much anything is made our favorite as long as we’re together.”