Jed & Margaret celebrated 50 years of marriage a couple of weeks ago in the place they love most and with the people they love most. I was lucky enough to be there with them to document their celebratory together time…..I actually ended up spending more time than I think anyone expected. (This is where it gets funny)

It’s kind of a funny story that starts last summer, when I got together with Kristin & Matt for some family photos with their kids as well as Kristin’s parents and siblings and their families. I had met Kristin & her family years ago. We’d kept in touch via social media, but this was our first time getting together in years and it was so good to see everyone. We had a blast and I got some fun photos that everyone seemed really excited about. Unfortunately, as we headed back to our cars, I was so busy gabbing and catching up that I accidentally locked my keys in the car.

You see, my VW has this stupid feature where you can walk up to the trunk and if you have your keys on you, the trunk will open without unlocking the rest of the car. And if you shut the trunk, say after putting your bag with your keys in there, and too much time passes (I’m talking a minute or two), the trunk locks again….with said keys and bags inside.

I clearly have trouble doing two things at once….even if those two things are as seemingly simple as talking and putting away camera gear.  Fortunately, Kristin is just the sweetest person ever and she was kind enough to drive me home. Luckily the session was at a beach just a few miles from my home…but still…it was above and beyond!!

Well, this summer, I was asked by Matt to photograph his family, as his parents were celebrating their 50th Anniversary and his brother and sister and their families were all gathering at the family’s rental cottages in Dennis Port to celebrate. As I pull up to the cottage where Kristin & Matt were staying, I had to pull up on the grass, behind the cottage and for some reason the car kind of stalled. It’s a standard and maybe I just wasn’t fully pressing the clutch. I don’t know. But, Kristin & Matt were outside when this happened and the car wouldn’t immediately start back up. We all looked at each other, as if to say…”Not again.” And then laughed a big sigh of relief when the car did start.

Fast forward a couple of hours, after I met Jed and Margaret and the rest of Matt’s lovely family and once again, Kristin walks me back to the car and we’re gabbing away as I’m once again loading all of my stuff into the trunk….you think I would have learned my lesson and immediately unlocked the rest of the car, but noooooo! I didn’t. And, yes, I once again locked my keys in the car. This time, I’m about an hour from home and Jed & Margaret and their family are about to enjoy a pizza party on the beach. I could have died! Ironically, in my 37+ years of driving, I don’t think I’ve ever locked my keys in my car before…at least not that I can recall. And yet, I did it twice in two years…with THE SAME FAMILY!!! What they must think!!

Kristin & Matt were so kind and so understanding. They invited me to the pizza party, where I licked my wounded pride and sucked down a seltzer water, while I waited for Andy to come bring me his keys.

As guilty as I felt for crashing the party, it did provide a nice opportunity to spend more time with Kristin & Matt, whom I absolutely adore! Kristin sweetly joked that it was the universe’s way of making sure we had more time together. She’s the best!

Without further ado, here’s a look at some of the sweet moments with this very sweet family. Please say hello and Happy Anniversary to Jed and Margaret…flanked by all of their adoring grandchildren (from left to right – Charlotte & Madeline, Nora & Molly, Jed & Margaret, Danny & Sammy). And on the right, lovely Nora and her cousins make their way to the beach.

My heroes….Kristin & Matt, with their adorable lovebugs Maddie & Charlotte.

Matt’s brother, Mike, with his lovely wife, Magda, and their super sweet boys, Sammy & Danny.

Matt’s super sweet sis, Lauren, with her lovely family – hubby Patrick and girls, Nora & Molly.

Cousins…..never get together as often as any of them would like, but when they do…..the good times roll! Or pig pile, in this case.

The whole lovely clan…

Sweet Danny..

Hand-in-hand…..Okay, not how most family’s take a stroll on the beach, but I just love the symbolism of connection and enduring love!

Hey Charlotte…looking good, girl!

50 years of marriage and oodles of love added along the way….

First comes love, then comes marriage….then comes 50 years, three kids and six grandkids. Here’s the original five…..Jed & Margaret with their babies – Lauren, Matt & Mike.

A family who laughs together lasts together….

Kristin & Maddie having a moment….be still my heart.

During my sessions, I always like to get some portraits of each kid….really trying to capture their personality. Here’s my attempt with this crew. Up first, Charolotte & Maddie.

Sisters – Molly & Nora.

Brothers – Sammy & Danny.

(left) Matt is an amazing father and his girls absolutely adore him. Just love this photo of the three of them. (And on the right) Our happy couple….here’s to many more decades together!

Momma Lauren and her lovely girls.

Maddie being Maddie. Swoon….

Mike & Magda and their beautiful boys…

A candid moment by the sea shore….

And one for the camera….cheeeseeeee.

A HUUUUUGE thank you to Kristin & Matt for once again welcoming me into your family’s fold and being so kind when I messed up. I LOVED meeting your family, Matt. It’s clear to see why you are the wonderful person you are!! To Jed & Margaret…thank you for sharing your beautiful family with me, perhaps for longer than you had hoped. 🙂 I enjoyed chatting with you on the beach and hearing about how you’ve made your marriage work these many years. You and your family are an inspiration to me! And, I’m so grateful to have had that time with you all! Wishing you many more happy years of family time together! With love & hugs, Christine xoxo