Over a year and half ago I styled a model for a styled shoot for Ale Vidal around Shakespeare's, Romeo & Juliet. We have never shared the photos until now, and I thought these photos would be a great visual to share my thoughts and feelings about love, after all Valentine's Day is only days away.

Reading the words of Romeo, "See how she leans upon her hand! O that I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek," makes me swoon. What woman doesn't dream of a man falling head over heels like that? I always thought that was what love looked like - a man completely smitten and infatuated with me, a man that would always think I am the most beautiful woman God ever created for all eternity, a man that calls me the "sun," and never wanting to part from me.

Love was something I only understood as emotion and a feeling. Now that I have been married for almost 9 years this May, I have come to understand that great, true love is choosing to love even when you don't have all of the "feelings" behind it.

It's knowing that Ryan loves me at my ugliest rather than at my prettiest. Sure, he tells me that I am beautiful, special and wonderful from time to time, but when he says, "I love you," after a big fight I know that we have something great and special.

Sometimes I miss all of the emotions that come when you just begin to date, but even writing this blog post reminds me how much more special it is to experience true love in the day to day hustle and bustle of life when I don't look my prettiest and I'm not always saying the right thing.

Photos by Ale Vidal
Makeup by SN Makeup Artist
Hair by Jessica Gallegos
Styling by Alex Evjen, AVE Styles
Dress from Mariee Bridal
Flowers by Posies Floral
Veil from Mignonne Handmade
Model Agency AZ