Lesha + Mark’s Love Story

Lesha told Mark she wanted a photo shoot that would capture their love story. Mark’s response? “What is our love story, going to work and playing with the dog together?” Lesha just laughed. She knew that it was much bigger than that even if he didn’t know it yet.

When you’re in the thick of it, the day to day grind it can feel like your love story isn’t all that impressive. That you live a boring life, trying to make it through each day of adulting. But the answer is no, your love story is much greater than that.

When Lesha and Mark are together there is an ease. No one having to pretend to be something they aren’t. No walking on eggshells or tip-toeing around words. Their love story built that. The way they laugh and tease each other. Mark’s quiet humor that has you cracking up or their acts of service that melt your heart. His love and dedication for their new puppy, Ollie and her love for taking care of everyone around them is the foundation of their love story.

But their true love story is him braving 20-degree weather at 5:00 am on top of a mountain to watch the sunrise with her while they get their photos taken. Sticking through a photo shoot when his fingers are falling off and he can barely move because he knows that it means something to her. She wants their love to hang on her walls surrounding her all day. She’ll never feel alone with that reminder at every turn. And he doesn’t ever want her to forget how much he loves her.

A love story doesn’t have to be a Romeo and Juliet story to be powerful. In reality, the 60-year marriage we all aspire to have wasn’t built on passionate love given every single day. Instead, it’s the story of giving and taking. Of loving someone even though they drive your crazy or put you up to crazy things (did I mention this photo shoot was cold?). A love story is about the silly faces you make at each other, the stories of triumph you have together, the inside jokes no one will ever get, is the personality that your love brings.

Your love story is the most powerful story there is, just like Lesha and Mark’s love story was more powerful than Mark could ever have imagined.

And what makes this all even better, their love story is real.