My Family, Thanksgiving Day, 2015 | Virginia Portrait and Wedding Photographer | Photography by Mariah

As I sat down to post this, I then realized that I had to write something, and then I realized there just is no way around crying! These photos were taken on Thanksgiving day with my family. We are happy, smiling, joking, laughing people, but behind these smiles, there is pain that we fought off all day long. Thank God we had each other. This was our first holiday without our Deddy. Deddy passed away September 14th of this year from a stroke while recovering from an initial stroke. It doesn't feel real. Like my sister, Rainey, said, he should have been lying on the couch with his blanket in his mouth or cooking wild turkey with Papa or talking "tough guy" baby talk to his grandson, Jericho.

We attended an eye organ donor ceremony this past weekend where we all went to the front of the crowd and talked about Deddy. I will say about the same thing that I said there while we all fought our tears. My son, Jericho Lee ("Mini-Lee" in the words of Deddy), was born about a month before Deddy's first stroke. All I can do now is look at him every single day, and it somehow makes it better for me, makes it better for my entire family. Jericho has no idea what he's done for his Granny, his Aunties, and his Mama.

These photos were literally taken just in front of Deddy's grave in the field in front of the house, and while some may find that kind of strange, we don't. We find it amazingly comforting knowing that he was right there with us.

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Samantha, Lee, & Little Aubrey | Virginia Portrait and Wedding Photographer | Photography by Mariah

Our little town in Virginia is home for the campus of the beautiful Averett University, formerly Averett College. When Samantha suggested we shoot here, I was up for the challenge! I had been on campus before, but wasn't familiar with a lot of the areas. We found more than I could ever imagine! Aubrey's granddaddy is an alumni of Averett, so we not only got to shoot awesome images, but we also got to hear a little bit about the history of the campus as well! I am thrilled to display these gorgeous photos. And that bike! Yes!

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The Donohues | Virginia Portrait and Wedding Photographer | Photography by Mariah

Does this family like to have fun or what? There is never a dull moment with this awesome bunch! I am truly in awe of the beautiful family that Bill and Pam have created. This family is loving, kind, and just plain FUN! Bill and Pam raised two amazingly caring girls who are now both teachers and a tough, kind-hearted son who is a Marine and has served overseas for our country. And now, they have two beautiful grandchildren! My heart was just melting the entire time I worked on these images!

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Nadia, Adam, and Sweet Amelia | Virginia Portrait and Wedding Photographer | Photography by Mariah

The temperature was perfect. The sun was perfect. And those blue eyes were beyond perfection. I have known this little family for quite some time, and I promise you, they are just as sweet and cute as they look! Little Amelia Jane is so blessed to have such loving and fun parents. And can you believe that these images were shot in their backyard? Just gorgeous! These images alone tell such a beautiful love story.

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