Blog - Page 4 of 41 - Shannon Von Eschen Photography

Twenty

You know…I’m not sure how I’ll make it through this small notes to you right now. And I’m feeling kinda lucky that my fingertips don’t have their own tears since the ones in my eyes are already spilling onto the keyboard. It’s not a rarity for my mind to be preoccupied with you…but on days like this, I’m back to being a little girl who has the biggest crush on this one boy whose name is Jason. And just like that, I’m undone.

Today makes twenty. Twenty years of officially wearing your ring, taking your name, and waking up from a “nightmare” dream a few times a year that I’ve married the wrong person…only to wake up and hold you close because the man in my dreams is actually just you. Oh but truly, who does that? I suppose when you’re ten years old and you absolutely, without a doubt, think you’ve found your person already, and then it becomes a reality (only by the grace and miracles of God) do you do that. Oh yes: I do! I do that!

This morning, our precious boy made us breakfast in bed: pancakes and buttered toast. “I was going to make eggs,” he said, “but I wasn’t sure how to use the stove here.” On the counter of the kitchen he left a note for us both. It was so beautifully written, I could hardly make out the words through salt-filled eyes. His last sentence made my cheeks stain with tears: “Thank you guys for being such good parents…

Thank you for a good life. Love Eli.”

Trying to reflect back on everything we’ve done, experienced, traveled, seen, and survived through seems truly overwhelming. I have tens of thousands of photos of us and likely twice that in my own colorful memories, and yet…how can so much time have escaped us so fast? “Time flies when you’re having fun” it’s said, so is this truly why? I mean, it’s no secret that you and I have been buried before–underneath true sorrow and pain that’s swallowed us whole sometimes; and, yet, I swear to high heaven our joys have felt the same! Our valleys are dark and deep, but our mountains of joy are beautiful, peaceful, serene, bright, and full of the wonderful dance that life swings us through.

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Easter, Eggs, + a long-legged Eli

† Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! -Luke 24:5-6 †

† HALLELUJAH! He is Risen Indeed! †

Eleven. It’s been Eleven happy years with this sweet kiddo, who’s always up for our annual Egg Hunt. Just me and E.

Over the years, it’s truly become so much more than a fun time seeking eggs, hidden among the trees. Though is it gobs of fun, yes, it’s impossible not to marvel at the signs of new life we see in our field, in the new growth and height of our trees, and in the comparisons we see too in my growing, young boy and his endlessly long legs! On this day, as it’s been our tradition since Eli’s first Easter, we spend intentional time in reflection of HIM and in the fulfillment of His promise. We remember that hope springs eternal and we use today as our reminder that no matter what we face, Jesus has already conquered it: “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” -1 Corinthians 15:55

Somehow they both (the tree + Eli) continually shoot up higher and higher each year. I marvel at this too. ♥

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♥ Fatherhood in Frames ♥

To the love of my life for the last “almost 30” years:

Happiest Father’s Day to you, J.

Every year when I sit down to write this, I think two things: One, how has another year come and gone, wasn’t I just here, reflecting on all of life’s greatest joys? And two, how is it that I’m lucky enough to get to love you? To know you, to learn from you, to watch you parent and Father Eli so effortlessly, and to live with such purpose?

It’s such a privilege of mine to get to live side by side you, and to have a front row seat in seeing how our son is growing up to be such an amazing young man. It’s a daily thing to see him learning to live with integrity, work with intention, and find joy in the mundane. And seeing how you love me? He’s got that down too. ♥

Every week when we go to the grocery store, Eli insists on ordering from the meat counter on his own (which undoubtedly makes it so we can’t ever escape without compliments about his demeanor, his looks, and his maturity). He asks to complete the self checkout on his own (which he does so well!) and then helps us load the groceries into the car. (Well, 7 out of 10 times he does the last one. Ha!)

At home, he schedules out his time so he can serve by unloading the dishwasher, folding the laundry, keeping his room clean, and packing his lunches for an entire week in one sitting. You and I have also commented more than once that Eli can make the most decadent breakfasts that rival anything either of us ever had before we were adults. But really, how is he so amazing?

At Starbucks, when sometimes they charge us for his “Whippy,” he offers to pay for it himself, as he knows it’s such a special treat, that isn’t a necessity each day. What a treasure it is to understand the value of life’s simple, but luxurious joys.

There’s a song Eli sings every once in a while in the car (the first time, I laughed so hard because I had never heard it) that goes: “Hot Wife, Good Life! Good, good Wife, Great Life! Great Life, Hot Wife.” After that first time, I looked at your face. And it was obviously an original of yours he’d heard from you more than once…

When I was Eli’s age, I met you. Only those who truly know me, and knew me then, know that I’d met my soul mate that year. God knew too. I’ve not taken for granted what a gift our relationship has been, how easy our marriage is, and how loving you just doesn’t take effort. Perhaps all of this isn’t what society has told us can be true, but it’s all I’ve known with you. And what both Eli and I are endlessly grateful for. This smattering of photos is only the teensiest bit of proof of a life lived in Happiness–all because of you.

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