*SERIES* “Love & A Photo”: Brandi and Jason

I will give you a quick intro before I share my first of many “Love & A Photo” posts. This is a very special project that I wanted to do.  It came about by asking myself, “If I could write anything for my blog what would it be?” Naturally, two words popped into my head: love & photography. Two things that inspire me. Needless to say, I have been quick to get the ball rolling.   This will be a truly interesting journey.

Each couple was given some interview questions and asked to send their favorite picture that symbolizes who they are as a couple.  What I notice is that everyones story is  unique and different, like the couples sharing them.  I find that exciting and think it will bring people joy!  I will share one ‘story’ each week on Sunday .  I picked Sunday because to me it represents family (not sure why it just does!)  Enjoy the ride~

Name

B: Brandi     J: Jason

Age

B: 33        J:33

Lifes’ Work:

B: Professional joy rebel, photographer

J: To live  a life to be remembered.

What city do you live in:

B: Grapevine, TX which is a suburb of Dallas (J: ditto)

How long have you been together?

B: It will be six years this august (J:ditto)

How & where did you meet?

B: We met at a bar called ‘Mikes Tree House’ in Dallas.  A friend of mine was going to a happy hour with coworkers.  Jason’s roommate was one of the coworkers and he’d invited Jason along…

J: That is how I remember it as well

What was your first impression?

B: Honestly?  that he was some entitled frat boy that knew he was hot and used it.  Fortunately, my opinion changed immediately once we started talking.

J: Strong, intelligent, no nonsense and someone I wanted to get to know better

Describe your first date.

B: I invited him *cough* to The Bone-a bar in Deep Ellum to watch a friend of mine sing blues.  Now, I’m not really much into that music genre, I just knew I liked the way she sang.  I had no idea that he was/is a HUGE blues fan…lol. I went with some friends and he met us there. I still remember what he looked like when he walked in the door, and the look on his face.  We pretty much ignored everyone and just focused on each other.  We talked and talked and talked.  He grabbed my hand as we walked out of the bar and my heart just swooned.

J: Lucky for her, her friend was not a polka singer cuz that might have been a deal breaker, LOL

Tell me about the most funny thing your partner ever did to “impress” you.

B: The thing about Jason isn’t he doesn’t have the macho ego thing.  He’s never TRIED to impress me. He is just who he is and that impresses me.

J: I think that she puts up with me every day is really impressive

When did you know it was love?

B: About a week into it.  We got serious very quickly and had only spent one night apart since our first date *ahem*.  Our first date was on a saturday and by the next thursday, we were talking of love.

J: I think we both kind of aligned with the same thought at the same time, maybe it was fate who knows??

Are you guys more of “perfect twins” or “opposite attracts”?

B: lol.  Depends on what you are talking about.  House cleaning?  Exact opposites.  However, we are VERY alike in our love of music and movies and exactly alike in our goof ball humor.

J: I have to agree, I think we are different in ways that assures we will never be bored

Retell the coolest travel adventure that you have taken together.

B: For me it was the trip we took on our one year wedding anniversary. We had scheduled a cruise to mexico that got derailed because of a hurricane.  Now, I went through several years of travel anxiety and was just getting more comfortable with traveling and letting go of the idea that things must be ‘perfect’ and we found out the cruise was canceled as we were driving to galveston to board it.  Instead of getting discouraged or anxious about our plans being ‘ruined’, I was able to see the possibilities and we choose to change course and drive to fredericksburg, our favorite place from texas.  From there, we visited a friend that lived nearby, went to san antonio and basically just went with the flow.  We had no set plans and no agenda.  It was so much fun and I absolutely attribute Jason’s natural easy going attitude with helping turn a disappointment into a fun adventure.

J: For me I think it was the trip when I proposed, we went to Arrowhead state park and I had planned to pop the ? at a spot I knew Brandi liked. I remember I was thinking that I was being so obvious as to what my intentions were when I suggested we should take some more pictures, even though it was starting to drizzle.

B: Yet, I totally didn’t realize anything until he got down on one knee.  It was perfect-exactly how I would want to be proposed to.

How do you share your creativity/gifts with the world?

B: I am growing a creative photography business at http://www.brandireynoldsphoto.com.  I also share my thoughts, inspirations and journey on my blog: http://brandireynolds.blogspot.com

J: I like to think that I do it on a spontaneous course through e-mails, and personal conversations

B: I have to agree in that Jason is inspiring just by being around him.

What was your first disagreement about?

B: Good grief, that was six years ago.  Uhhh…I think he had some friends over and I was feeling ignored but I’m not sure… Jason, do you remember?

J: Not sure either really??

What do you do after a ‘fight’?

B: Probably kissed and made up  I think the thing to realize is, there are always going to be disagreements and they don’t have to be the end of the world.  That’s why I don’t really remember what we fought about-we’ve fought about a lot of things.  The differences shouldn’t define the relationship though.  There are so many facets of a relationship and the good stuff should be the stuff remembered. And honestly, I think something is wrong if you don’t fight.  Any two people cohabitating-roommates, romantic relationships, whatever-are going to get on each other’s nerves and argue occasionally.  That’s human nature. If you don’t, that to me seems like there’s a lot not being said and that breeds resentment.

J: Well typically I’m not one for conflict, but to Brandi’s credit I think she has been able to get through to me that as she says above conflict happens and it’s not the end of the world

Have you faced any adversity? If so, and you care to share- what…

B: Jason’s father passing away suddenly was very hard.  I sort of lost him for about a year as we dealt with finalizing his dad’s estate. It wasn’t fun at all.  And there were times where we were just sort sleep walking through our days.  Not every moment of your time together is going to be focused and romantic and connected and joyful.  Some days during that time, we were more roommates than romantic but you love each other and know that these times pass.

J: I agree with the above, but also I think we have dealt with some not so fun times together and if anything I think they brought us closer, for example, there was a time when I was without a vehicle and I had a job that required a car. So we dealt with it, we got up early and we shared Brandi’s car. It was sometimes not the most fun, but I think it showed us that we could rely on each other.

Describe your love journey in 3 words.

B: growth, creativity, discovery

J: fun, new, warm

For the marrieds, how has life changed since you got hitched?

B: For me, I was surprised by the nesting instinct.  We lived together, bought a house together, before we got married. I thought the marriage would just be a document to add to that.  Instead, I have found that our marriage has been a wonderful catalyst for growing roots.  And because I started to grow roots, I also started to discover more of my authentic self and express it creatively.  I am so grateful to be in a relationship that is about being ourselves and gives us each room to explore and grow.

J: I would say things have become more interesting. When your single you kind of just float around and just “do” for yourself. Once your married you have to think for two, but it also means you get to try new things and share the experience.

Bonus Question: What is your favorite beverage?

B: Dr Pepper first thing in the morning and a margarita on the rocks with salt after a long day at work

J: Hard one, I guess it depends. If it’s morning it’s Mountain Dew, if it’s after a long day, a cold beer.