For Rebecca

Rebecca, I have a surprise for you that I have been bursting to let out. This has been the hardest secret to keep, but I am so excited that I can finally tell you! Your sister-in-law Sondra (and my friend from high school) nominated you for a Trash the Dress session. After reading her entry, and also just talking to you from your shoot, I knew that a THD session just wouldn't be enough. It wasn't what I wanted for you, and not what you deserve. So for the past several days there have been plans hatched and things put into action, and here is the story that started it all:

"Rebecca & Ben met in high school in 11th grade. They dated for several years, Ben was in ROTC in high school, and after they graduated attended college with the help of the military. In the fall of 2002 they started talking about getting married. They picked out her engagement ring - she was so excited to start to plan their wedding for sometime in the Spring. Then in December 2002 he was called up for active duty to serve for at least one year in Iraq. They had to decide whether to wait to get married until he came back or go ahead before he left. Rebecca rushed to pick out a dress and plan a wedding for Dec 29th. After Christmas, everyone was back home and were planning for a Sunday afternoon ceremony. But with the military things are always up in the air and Ben was having trouble getting time off. It ended up being a situation where it would happen whenever he showed up. They had a friend of the family who was a notary, so she came over and everyone waited for Ben to show up whenever they let him off. For something so spur of the moment & unsure of when it was going to happen, Rebecca did not want to get all dressed up, especially with Ben in his military fatigues. The whole family always thought that when he came back from his tour they would have a reception or some kind of ceremony or celebration. But time goes by and you think that money can be better spent on other things like bills and babies. So now over 6 years later Rebecca still has not had an occasion to where her dress, eat the cake and have the beautiful memories to see in the photographs...." - Kathy, Rebecca's Mom (and slightly modified for web by me)

So Rebecca, I know you have been super disappointed the last few days not winning a Trash the Dress session. I am very sorry to put you through any grief, but I promise you, this will make your day. (If not your year. Yes. It's that exciting)

Miss Rebecca, with the help of your family, we are going to give you the wedding you never had. With the dress, with the cake, with family and friends to witness. And, of course, the photos to document it all. Every couple should have their wedding, a day that is for husband a wife only, a day they will always remember. So (surprise!) we are going to give you that day! You will carry a bouquet, eat lots a cake and I hope laugh till you cry. You are such a beautiful person, inside and out, and I know that you are going to make an absolutely beautiful bride. I cannot wait to share this special day with you, to capture those memories and to see the love rekindled between you and Ben. I wish I were only there to see your face while reading this! I hope that this has perked you up ;) and I will be seeing you, all in white, on April 25th, 2009. Congratulations!!

Rebecca & Ben

Their Family